mmmmmtm mm ■n ms 1 1 1 ! "i'TW^-i '^^^^'i^m^mW^ ' ^;:.. .'mw^wm^' PRINCETON, N. J. Shelf. Division. Section . Number. S<^C- M I liliS^ tkcr tlU\« uauttgvuta xjlj ^^ ^ > -J % S / '^ AN HARMONY OF THE CONFESSIONS OF THE FAITH OF THE CHRI- STIAN AND REFORMED CHVRCHES, Which purely profelfe the holy doctrine of the Gofpcl in all the chief Kingdoms,Nations, and Provinces of Europe: the Catalogue and or- der whereof the Pages following will declare. There are added in the end very fhort notes : in which both thcobfcurc things are made plainc, and thofc things which may in fticw feemc to be contrary each to other, are plainly and very modeft- ly reconciled, and if any points doe as yet hang in doubt, they are fin- cerely pointed at. All which things, in the name of the Churches of France and Belgia , are fubmitted to the free and difaeet judgemcr^^£|)j^{|^ Churches. ^NewU Alfo in theenMi fteUedthfi^j^^of^^he Chf^ o/ Scotland. title. LONDON. --/ . Printed by hhn Legatt, 1641. :^. J Digitized by tine Internet Arcinive in 2011 witii funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library http://www.archive.org/details/harmonyofconfessOOIond APREFACEIN THE NAME OF THE Churches of France and "Belgia, which profeffe chc reforma- tion of the Gofpell. Mhrofe in a certaine place faith nota- bly. There ought to he noflrtfc^hut con^ ference, 4mongthe fervants of ChriH, For, feeing the duInefTe of mans un- derftanding , efpecially in heavenly matters, is fuch,that we cannot oft- times perceive matters otherwife very plain,it can by no means be de- nied, but that by mutuall conference, and friendly, and brotherly debating of the matter, we come to very great light. And that efpecially feemeth profitable and need- fulljthat fome fhould be (et on edge by others, that chofe things which the Lord hath particularly befiowed upon feverall members of the Church, may redound tothe common benefit of the whole body , and that all finifter affed:ionfetaparr, Chrift, who is the Fathers wiidome, and the onely Matter and 1 cacher of the Church may be Hj" 2. heard : The Preface, heard: and as he is the Prince of peace may (b by his fpi- rit joyne togec ^er our minds , that i^ it be poffible , we mayallthinkeoneand the fame thing in the Lord. Bjt to ftrive, braule, and fiercely, and frowardiy to contend, as fenfers doe , is fofarre from becoming men that arc taught of God , as that it is not feemely for modeft or ci- vill pcrfons. And if fobe that in all,yea even in the very leaftaffiirsof mans Ufe, that rule of modeftie is to be kept, what, I pray you, is to be done, when we are in hand with God and Gods matters ? Surely,hoiy things are ho- lilyand devoutly to be handled, in the feare of God, and love of our neighbour. Who, if he goe out of the way, is by the fpirit of meeknelTe to be called backe again ; but if he take the right way, he is more and more to be inftru. nor by men : it is firaple, it will be fimply publifhed and taught. Therefore we are purpofed for this time not to dealebyanylong difputatio« with any man, but barely to open the meaning of the reformed Churches, toknic all the Churches of Cbhft together with one bond of brotherly love, to keepe peace with all men, and fo farre as it ought to be done, to judge well of all men: yea and tointreatthole^ who think fomewhat too hardly of us, that if we difagree from the Confeffion of no Church . that The Preface, that doth truely beleeve,they would themfel ves alfo be« giune to be of the fame minde with us, and quietly, and loberly conferre with their brethren, of what things they fliall think good, rather then themfelves to flander and give the adverfaries occafion to rayle upon the Gofpel. But if they will not doit,letthis publique and everlafting monument witnestoallthat come after, that we & all of our fide are and fhall be free not only from the grievous reproches , with which we are undefervedly laden, but alfo without blame of all the hurly burlies and diffenti- ODS that have been hitherto,and that(which God forbid) areperadventurelikctobe more grievous, unlcffcit be fpeedily prevented on both fides. And feeing in this Harmonie we fpeake not onely with our owne, but even with the mouth of all thofe Nations, whofe Confeffions we have brought into one forme of one and the fame do(2:rine •, we hope it will come topafle that not fo much thefeveral names of the French,Bdgia, and other Confeffions (hall hereafter be heard, as that one onely univerfall, fimple, plaine, and abfolute Con- feffionofallthe Churches (fpeaking as it were with one and the fame tongue of Chartaan) fhall be feenc : and that they who were thought to be farre wide (as hath hither- to not altogether without defert by reafon of over many mens private writings beene thought of us and the bre- thren of the Confeffion o{ Aufpurge) if fo be that men keep within the bounds of the Confeffions,and all cavil- ling and fophiftrie be laid afide, and as well faithfull as favourable cxpofition be admitted, (hall be thought very neerely to agree in all things. And this was the caufe why we defired to put the Confeffion of Aujpurge, toge- ther alfo with that o^Saxo»y,SLnd Wtrtemberge.in this Har- moniey that it might be the more eafily kuowne,that both we agree with them in all particular points of faith, and that there arc very few matters hanging in coatroverfie between The Preface. between us. Forconcerningthatdoubt about the Lords Supper, in the thing, audof the thing it felfe, there is no ftrife, we differ in certaine adjuncts and circumflan- cesofthe thing. In the thing it felfe, I fay, we agree: although as the gifts of God are divers, fo fome doe more plaincly, fome doe not fo plainly, and perhaps not fo fit- ly, utter that which they thinke. For we all acknowledge that the holy figns, have not a bare fignification, but that by the ordinance of God they afTure our confciences that the things themfelves are as truly and certainly given of God to all that corae, as the fignes themfelves are given byGodsMinifter. But this queftion rcmaineth, whe- ther as the figne, fo alfo the prefent thing it felfe be given to the body, or rather the prefent figne be given to the body,but the prefent thing given onely to the minde and faith: Againe, whether as both be given to all, fo both be received of all, of fome unto life^ and of other fome unto death. In like fort, we all beleevc the true Commu- nication of the true body and the true blood of our Lord lefus Chrift. The controverlie ftandeth in the manner of communicating, but who may therefore of right thmk, that the holy unitieof the Churches is to be plucked a- funder > That they of our fide were alwaies defirous of peace and agreement, the hiftpry of the conference ac MarpurgCy and fuch things as were afterward done in the yeere ijsd. dofufficiently witncfle. Moreover, fo often as there appeared any hope ofa- greement,it is cleare, that there was no other caufe, but ttieimportunitieoffome certain men, why new and fud-> den braules being raifed, the matter could no: come, or long continue in that agreement which was hoped for. For that we may let pajGTe very many other things, al- though in the beginning it were openly knownamong al, that there was no cotroverfie between us (no not fo much as the very Papifts excepted ) in the opinion about worfbipping The Preface. wordiipping the myfterie of the hoIyTrinitie-, loe,about the latter end, that unhappy monfter of Vbiquitie came forth, which if it be admitted, will quite overthrow the true dodrine of Chrifts perfon, and his Natures. Hence then come the diftradiions of Churches, hence come fo deadly quarrellings. But feeing this whole matter hath been often handled by many learned men, it is no time for us to deale any farther therein. Forir isfufficientfor us to (hew in few words, that our men fo farre as was pof- fiblc; alwaies provided for the peace of the Church. Neither truely hath any man caufe after the example of certain Moderators (fuchas not long fince have been) why he (hould perfwade himfelfe that we would hearc of this hotch-potch of opinions make acertaine medlieas it were of contrarie qualities. But we leave all things whole, that every one may k> know his owne words be- ing compared with the fayings of others, thathefliall fiade nothing forged, nothing taken away, nothing put to, or wrefted. And co conclude, the forme and drift of this whole work, if it be more narrowly viewed, fhall not unworthily be judgedafound bodyofChriftiando- (Strine, framed and allowed by the writings,and as it were byacommoncouncelof the godly Churches well nigh of all Europe. For here all the chiefe points of oar Reli- gion, being difcuffed and approved, are by the publique authoritie of all the chiete Nations in Chriftendome with one confent publilhed and knit together : yet we muft confefle, as we afore touched, that through the manifold and bufie braulings of private perfons , and glofles(as men commonly fpeak)the matter was brought farre from the grounds thereof to things cleane befides the purpofe and impertinent. For firft there bcganne to be dealing onely about the Supper : then it came to Chrifts Afceniion and fitting in heaven : and within a while after to the perfonall union of both his natures, and The Preface, and what ftay will there be in the end > for many, (by all mens leave be it fpoken) feemeto be delighted with this concinjall ftriving, that howfoever, and whatfoever ic might coft them, they might not be unknowne. But it becometh the Difciples of Chrift to feeke peace, ana to defpife glory. For as B crn^rd fliith, The-j that dejpife peace, and feeke after gUrie, thcf hfe both peace and glory. Away therefore with thofe fpeeches, / am offaul, 1 am of Cephas, and let that one faying be heard, I am Chrifts, I am the Churches. There is fomething that raaybemifliked, yet there are very many things that may w^U be liked: the fame ground worke of faith abideth, let therefore the fame love continue ; and let us not thinke much to take them for brethren, whom God vouchfafeth to take for fonnes : neither let us defpife thofe, for whom Chrift defpifed himielfe. That thing is afluredly true, and very much liked of uSjthat nothing in holy do(3:rine is to be thought of fen all importance: but rather that even in thcleaft points thereof a certaine faith and full aflurance is requin red, flat contrary to the wavering of the Academikes : yet we cannot like of too coo much pee viflinefle, through which fome do ftraight way upon very fmalloccafion call their brethren heretikes, fchifmatikes, ungodly, Maho- metans:let thefe fpeeches be thrown out againftAtheifts, EpicuresLibertines, AriauSjAnabaptifts, &fuch likemif- chevous perfons,which defire to have the Lords field ut- terly deftroyed:but let us every day grow in faith &love; and let us teach the flocks committed to our charge, to fear God,to hate vices, and follow after vertues, to deuie the world and themfelves : obeying the coramandemenc of our Lord and teacher lefus Chrift, who biddeth us not to braule but to love each other. Whofc example in governing the Church if we will follow, we fhall raife up thofe that are afflic^ed^take up thofe that are faloe, cofort the. The Preface, the feeble, waken the drowfie, aod not negh'gently de- nounce Gods wrath againft linnes, and fhali draw out the fword of the fame word which is no blunt one againft hy- pocrites, wolves, dogs, fwine, goates, and to conclude againft all wicked ones which in our Churches mingle themfelves with the true fheepe, and which caufe the wordofGodtobeevillfpokenof. Itwereafarre better thing furely then that which forae do, bufying thefharp- neffe of their wit in making of certaine trifles, that for- foorh the knowledge of fuchfubtilties, may fhake out of our raindes all confcience. It was juftly faid that the ftrength of the Gofpel was weakened through the thorny fubtilties of fchoole-queftions : and we through our way- ward difpu rations what elle doe we, then caufe that the authoritie thereof be not ftrengthned, but rather weak- ned, and doe even ftagger among the wicked. We reade it exce llently written in Lzi/i>, a very grave writer, that not onelj grudges, but alfo warres have an endyand that often- times deadly foes become fait hfuU confederates^ yea andfome- times Citize/is : and that by the fame /peeches of the people of Rome, very bitter er crueU enmities have bcene taken up be- trveene men of great account. And that which thefe few words wrought with the heathen, Ihall not god linefte to- ward God obtaine at the hands of Chriftians, of Divines, and of Paftours of Churches > yea of the travell of read- ing and diligently examining and conferring of this booke (hall not be irkefome,if upright and finctre judge- ment, if not prejudicate opinions, but the love of one truth fhall beare fway in all mens hearts, it will fhortly obtaine it. That old contention about the celebrating of Eaftcr very hotly toffcd to and fro, for two hundred yeeres, or there about, bctweene the Greeks and the La- tines, was^onglince by us thought worthy of laughter : but we muft take good heed, left in a matter not altoge- ther unlike, we fecme to be wifer then both, if fo be that we The Preface, we defire to have the Church whole, and not to leave it rent unto the pofteritie, and would have our felvesbc counted not foolifh among men, and not ftubborne in the light of God. There hath fcarce been any age, which hath in fuchfortfeeneall Churches following altogether one thing in all points, fo as there hath not alwaies been fbme difference, either in dod^rine, or in ceremonies, or in manners : and yet were not Chriftian Churches through the world therefore cut afunder, unleiTe perad- vcnture then, when the Bilhop of Rome brake off all a- greement, and tyrannically injoyned to other Churches, not what ought to be done, but what himfelfe would have obferved : but the Apoftle did not fo. BarnAhas in- deed departed from ?4«/, and Paul withftood Peter, and furely for no trifle ; and yet the one became not more enemie or ftrange to the other, but the felfe fame fpirit, which had coupled them from the beginning, never fuf- fered them to be dis-joyned from them-felves. It is the fafhion of Romifts to command, toeDforce,topreffejto throw out curlings, and thunder excommunications up- on the heads of thofe that whifper never fo little againft them : but let us, according to the docStrine of the holy Ghoft, fuffer, and gently adraouilh each other : that is, keeping the ground- work of faith, let us build love up- on it and let us joyntly repaire thewals of Sion lying in their mines. It remaineth, that through the fame Lord Chrift we befeech our reverent brethren in the Lord, whofe Con- fefiions publilhed we let forth, that they take this our painesin good part : and fuffer us toleane, as it were, to a ccrtaine ftay, to the common confent o[ the reformed Churches, againft the accuiations and reproches of the common adverlaries of the truth» But it had been to be wifhed, that we might at once have fet out all the Con- feffioDs The Preface. feffions of all the reformed Churches : bnt becaufe we had chem not all, therefore we fee out them onely, that were come to our hands, to which the reft a;fo, fo farre as we fuppofe, may eafily be drawoe. And v^'e alfo could have wilhed, that the thing might have beene made common to all the reformed Churches. But when as the ftate of our Churches feemed to force the matter, and that they could not abide any longer delay: the right well beloved brethren will pardon us , with whom by reafon of the time we could not impart both the Har^ fnonie it felfe, and theObfervations, as alfo the intent of this whole Edition. Whereas moreover we hive put to moe confeflions of one and the lame Nation, as of Aujhurgej and Saxenie, as alfo the former and latter of Helvetia, that was not done without cauib: for befides that one cxpoundeth another, we thought it good alfo hereby to ridde them from all fufpicion of inconftancie and wavering in opinion, which the adverfaries are wont to catch at, by Tuch repetitions of Confeffions. '■ Yet why we would not adde ibme Confeflions of the hi&thxtx^oi Bohemt a oiiGn repeated, we will ftraight way (hew a caufe : and we hope that our reafon will eafily be liked of them. And we have fet downe every where two, yea & in fome places three Editions of Aufpurge,for this refped, left in this diverfitie we might feeme to have picked out that , which rather favoured our fide, and to have utterly mifliked the other. Wherein notwithftand- ing we have not every where followed the order of times, in which every of them came to light, but the coppie which we had in our hands printed at Wtrte^*- berge 15-72. with a double Edition. And we have there- fore thought it meet to pafle over the Apologies ad- joyned to the Confeflions { ^^ oi Auf^urge , Bohemid ^ SneveUnd^ and MngUnd,) as well that the worke might not not grow to be exceeding bigge, as aUo that we might not fecme rather to increafe ai/putations and controver- lles, then to makean Harmonic of do(5l:iine. And as for oor ObfervationSj our minde was to meet with the ca- vils ot fophifters, who we know well enough will take hold on the leaft matters, that they may thereby fct us onworke. Wherefore left theyfhonld charge us to (et out adifcord rather then a concord of Confellions, we have added in the end very fhort Obfervations, in which we lay open thofe things which might feeme foniewhat obfcurely fpoken, and doe favourably and freely, giving them an interpretation, expound thofe things, which either have, orfeemetohave any Ihew of repugnancie. And we befeech the brethren to beare with us therein, as the moft diftreffed, and defirous of the peace and agree, ment of the Churches among thofe, whointhdelaft timeshaveimbraced the truth of the Go/peJ. For God forbid, that we fhould defire to be counted Cenfurers of others, who are ready rather to be taught of our bre- thren, and to be ftrengthned in this race of truth, which is begun. We would therefore have them fo to thinke, that thcfe Obfervations are laid before them , that they may judge of them , and may , i£ they (hall thittke it any where needfull , better and more fit- ly declare their owne opinion, and in the meane while accept of 9ur paine s , YE therefore moft gracious Kings^, Dukes, Earles, Marqueflcs, moft famous Barons, and noble Lords, ye Cities ^ and Com- mon-wealths, ye moft wife Paftours, Dodors, and, to be fhort, all Chriftian people, profcf- fing the truth of the Gofpel, be prefciit in foules and bodies, fuffer nottto^aifonof difcord to Iprcadany farther : but kill this hurtfuil Ser- pent, and receive with a Chriftian minde as is meet, and as is offered unto you this moft , fure token and earned of the everlafting friend- fliip of the French and Belgian Churches with you, offered to you in the face of the whole: world : that we being by a friendly league coupled together in Chrift, may vanquifh all Antichriftsj and may fing that Hymne to the Lord our God, "^ehold^ how good and jojful} a, thing it fifj brethren to dmU together in unitie. A A CATALOGVE OF THE CONFESSIONS WHEREOF this Harm OKIE is framed, according to the order of the times, wherein every of themypere Vcrltten md fHbUJhed, h rH E Confenionof Auspurgi wasfirft prefen- ted in the Germane tongue at the Citic Aufpttrge^ in theycere 153c»' to Charles the fifth being Emperor, by certainc moft renowned Princes of Gerntaniey and other States of the facred Empire, whom they call Proteftants. Secondly the (elfe fame yeere it was fet out and pub- Xi^QAztWirtemkerge'm'LziinQi fomewhat correded in certain Ar- ticles, with a Preface,and the fubfcription of the Authonrs names. II. TH^t Confejjlion of the fonre Citus was prefented both in the Germane, and alfo in the Latine tongue, to the fame moft fa- cred Emperour Charles the fifth, in the fame aflembly held at At^ IP urge t in the fame yeere,by the EmbalFadors of the Cities o^StrAnf- breugh^ Conftance^ Memingay LintiAw : both which we have in cer- taine Articles compared together, that the Readers might have the one made more ample by the other : and we have therefore in the titles called it the Confept» of SueveUttd, for that thofe foure Cities, by whom it was preicntcd, are commonly counted neighbours to StieveUnd, III, THat of Bafl about the yeere 1532. wasfirft written in the Germane tongue by the Minifters of the Church oi Baftl^ and alfo by a common fubfcription allowed of the Paftours of Strauf- hroHghfKhzn againe in the yeere 15^1. both recognifed and received ^ fir^ by by the feIPe fam* Miniflers o^Bafil. Afterward alfo it was piibliflied by th; Magiftrate of Millaine in his owme name in the Germane tongue with a Preface, as though it had been that Churches owne Confeflion. And at the lall ic was turned into Latine. Which we, a-s more ancient then the reft of Hehefia, have thought good to be fct downe here alfo, and doe elfe where inlike fort call it the Confeflion of Afl^aine. Ill J. T He former Co»feJJi9n of Helvetia was written at ^<*/r/ about the yecre 155^. in the behalfe of all the Churches o'f Helvetia, and andfentandprefentedtothe Aflembly of Divines at Wirtembergehy Mafter Bucer, and Mafter Capita : and in the yeere foUowiag 1 5 37«; itwasagaine propounded together with the declaration thereof to the aflembly at Smalcaldia by 'Bucer hiralelfe, and allowed of that whole affcmblie, namely, of ail the Divines and degrees of Prote- f^ants, 2iS Luther n\s own letters to t\\^ Helvetians iioztc^d^z* And the declaration in Latine was conferred in very many places with the «lore ample copic written in the Germane tongue. V. THat ofSaxonie was written in Latine in the yeere 1 5 5 1. in the behalfeofthe Saxon Churches, by N' after Philtp MsUnHhony that it might be prefentcd to the Cooncelof TV«i7f ; to Vvhichnot on- ly the Saxon and Meife» Churches, but alfo very many other did lubfcd'oe^as if it had been to the Confcllion of e^«j^«r^*repeatedo VI. THat offVertemberge was of the moft renowned Prince and Lordj Lord Chriflopher Duke of Wertemberg and TeccA^ Earle of Momtbelgard, by his Emba^adours prefented to the aflcmblieof the Tridentine Councel the 24. day of the Mcxieth of ^muarie in the yeere 15^2. VII. 'T'He Frtneh Confeffton was in the yeere i ^ «j 9. prefented to Franck . thefecondKingof France, firft at yimboife, in the behaife of all the godly of that kingdome : fecondly, in the yeere 1561. at Poifie„ It was prefented againe in Freiich,to Charles the ninth'i^nd at length aUb aifopublifticd bythcPaftc)Ur«ofthe French Churches, with a Pre- face to all other Evangclicall Paftours, in the ycere 1 5 66s VIII. TWif Ertglijh Confepon was inferted in the gencrall apologic writ- ten in theyccrc 1 J62. in the behalf e of the Englifh Church. IX. T He Utter C9nfe]fion9fllelvetM'^^% written by the Paflours of Zurich^ in the ycere ii66, and approved and fubfcribed unto, not oncly of the Tigurines thcmfelves and their confederates of Bern, ScAfhttfia, SangAllU, Rhetia, MyUtdne, and Buhha : but of all them of GenevSy and ofSavoi^oi Polottie, and like wife by the Churches of Hfingarie,9nd ScotUnd» X. TKr Confejftmof BelgU was publidicd in French in the name of alltheChurchesof ^f/^«4, in the ycerci^^tf. and in the ycere 157P inapub ique Synode held zx. Belgium^ it was repeated, con- finned, and turned into the Belgian tongue. XI. 'T'Hat of Bohemia being the laft of the fourc former, which were ferre more ancient, (which for the largeneffc wc thought good not to be inferted into this Barmenie) being recited in the fame or» der of Chapters and Arguments, and fomcwhat more plainly ex- preffed, and in the yeere i573.publi{lied in divers places, wasaUb approved by common teftimonic of the Vniverfitie of fVirtemyerge^ even as Mailer Lmher^ and MeUntlon had Approved the fonher, publifhed in the yecrc 1532. being altogether the fame in doflrinc with this, zsLwher his Preface witnelTeth: and we have called it clfewhere the ConfelTion of the Waldenfesy following the common title afligned thereunto by thofe Churches : which we Would have to be fpoken without any prejudice to thefe brethren^ 11113 ;A:H AN ADMONITION TO THE GODLY AND GENTLE READER, TOUCHING THE Order and courfe of this whole Harmonie. |Ha< -whole Harmonic of ConfefTions (gentle Reader) U farted into 19. SeBions^ which ^e have taken fometimes eutofmoe^fometimesoHtoffevper Confe^ions in nnmher, as each feemed every one in hU o^neflace to handle one and the fame matter or chiefefoint of do^rine. But in rehear jing the con^ text of every Con fejfton, hecaufe ree were to have regard of the ordercf things and doUriney rather then either of the^ime^ or.'A>0rthinefe of the Churches andty^Htheurs that ^rote them^ or other fptch like circnm- ftanee : therefore itfeemedgood without any envie or preiudice of other (^onfejjions , either more ancient or more famom^ to give the firfi place to the latter (^onfefsion 0/ Helvetia; hoth becaufe the order thereof feemed more fit, and the whole handling of do thine more full andeen» venient : and alfo hecatife that (fonfefsion was fubliquely approved and fubfcrihed unto by very many Churches of divers Nations. Farther upon thu doe the reft fitljfollowy to wit^ theform'r (fonfefson of Helve- tia, and then all otherywithout any cheife, indifferently , fave that we had rat her ioyne together the Confefsions of Germany ^ then fever thent each from other, according to the argument of every Se^lon. Tet we were inforcedto put that Confefsionofthefoure (pities ^as received fome» Tvhat late yitt the lafi place, pyhich order notwit^)flanding ifitjhallnot feeme fit and convenient to any^ it may eafily be altered in the fee and Edition^ oi other Confefsions alfo, ifanyfuch be fides thefejhall be "^an- tingy may in their due place be adioyned. To conclude, that the godly Reader may want nothing, and that no man may fuJpeFi any thing to be taken a^ y or added to any of thofe Cefefsions, we have here fet do^ne the Articles or chief e points in the order wherein they were firft written, which we defire every man fa- vourably to interpret, andtoenioythit our labour^ rather feeking peace A)?d agreement^ then malicioufly hunting after occafions ofdijfentions, PROPER PROPER GATALOGVES FOR EVERIE CONFESSION, CONTAINED IN THIS HAR- MONIF, AFTER THAT ORDER wficrein they were firft written. The Articles of the former ConfelTion of HthttiA^ Scripture, InurfretAtioH» Fathers* Humttne Traditiens. The drift of the Serif turt^ God. MoM^ And biiftrength. Criginallfinnc, ■ Tree ^ili. The eternall C»unjell , touching the refloring ofvtan, lO lefm C^rift^ sndthofeienefits T»hich ^ereafebjhim II The drift of the doEirine of the GoJpeL la Faith, and the force thereof. The Church. Of the Mimflers of the "^ord, Ecclej^afticall porver. The choofing ofJUinijiers. 7 he head (:t' jheDheardoi the Church i8 The dtities f Mini fit rs. 19 Of the force ande^cacie of the Sacra' ments. 20 B'-7ptt/me. , 2 1 The £uch4rijh 11 13 14 16 17 Holy Agemhlies, «3 OfHeretikes and Schi/r»4tikes. 14 Of things indifferent» 2% Of the Magiftrate, ^6 OfheljH^edlocke. i? The Chiefe poiats of the latter Confefsion of H e l- V E T I A. OF the holy Scripture, being the true^ordofGod. I Of Interpreting the holy ScripturCy and of Fathers, CouncelSyandTrd" ditions. 1 Of God, hid unitie and the Trinit*f> Of Idols i or Images of God, Cbrifi, and Saints, 4 Of the tyfdoration^ voorjhip and In* vocation of God, through theonely Mediatour Icfpu Chrifl, 5 Ofthe providence of God, • tf Of the creation of ah things, of An» gels, the Devil, and Man. y Ofthefatlofmdn,fi»ne, andthecaufe offmne. ^ 8 Of free '^^ill,andfo ef m^ns po^er and ahilitie. ^ Of the TredefliTiation of God, andE' leBlon of the Saints. lO f 114 Of of lefus Cf^rifi hing trite God, M$d ffM»,afidthe§fielj SAviour of the vforld. II Of the laW of God* 1 1 Of the Go^el of lefus Chrifi.efthe promifes, alfo, ofthejpirit^ and the letter. I j QfRepentAncCy andtheConverjionof man. 1 4 Of the true mjlif cation of the fait h- ffilh 15 OfF>iith,andgood^drkj^ndofthtir reward, a»d the merit of man, i^ Of the Catholiq$te and holy Church of God, and of the onelj head of she Church. 17 Of the Min'jlers of the Church their infiitutioHy and duties. 1 % Of the Sacraments of the Church of Chrlfi. 19 OfholyBaptifme. 20 Of the holy Supper oftheLord^ \ 'iki Of holy ana EccleJi^fiicaU ajfem^lies. 22 Of the Prayers of the Chu ch,cfjtng' ing and Canonic a II h cures. 23 OfholydajifSf fajlsyand choife of meates. ^4 Of Comforting, or vifiting theftcl^ Oft he buriallof the faithfully and the care thAt is to be had for the dead, trndofpurgatoriey and the appear- ing of Spirits, 2 6 Of Rites, Ceremonies, and things in- different. 2 7 Of the goods of the (^hurch. 2 8 6 f Jingle life, JVedlocke, and the or' dering of a family, 39 Of the Magijirate, 30 The Articles of the Confef- fion o{ Bafih OF God. f. Of man. 2 Of the care of Godto'^ard w. ^ Of Chr if y being true God, And true man. 4 Of the Church, y Of the Supper of our L9rd. 6 Of the Magi^ate, 7 Of Faith, and r^orkfs, 8 Ofthelafldny. 9 Of things commiwded, md notcom^ manded, lO tyfgainjl the errour of the tAnOr^ . baptijles. ■ • • 11 The chiefe points of the ^, Confcflion oi Bohemia. OF the holy Seripture,t4hd ofEc' clejiajlicall writers. I Of Chriflian Catechiftng, 1 Of the unitie of the divine ejfence, and ; of the three Perfons. 3 Of the kvtovfledge ofhimfelfe. Alfo, of finne, the caufes and fruits hereof^ and of the promifes of God. 4 Of repentance. J OfChrifi the Lord,andofIuflificati- on through faith in him. 6 Of good Tfiorkes. which be holyaRi" ons. 7 Of the holy Catholitjue Churchy the order and dtfcipline hereof , and moreover cf Antichrifl, 8 Of the Mintjlers of the Church, 9 Of OfthetvordofGod. 1« Of the Srcraments ingenerAlL 1 1 Of holy 'Baftifme, 1 2 Of the Supfer of the Lord, i 3 6>/ the Keyes ofQhrift» 14 Of things acce^ory^ that «, of rites t or Ecciefiaftic^ cfremonies. i ? Of the foHtique or dvi/i Afagifirate» 16 Of Sain ts^ And their werjhip. 1 7 OffAfiing, 18 Ofpngte /iffy AndweMocke, or the or- der ^f married fo/l^, 19 O/ /ifv time of Gtmc, 20 The Articles of the French ConfcfTion. /^ F God, andhu one otiely e fence, i of the knorn ledge of God. 2 Of the Canonic aU bookes of the holy ScriftHre, g OfaiJlingHiJhing the ^AKonicall htok^ front the fHllcAHing^& elcHion.'} I OfEcclejiafli. aH dijcipline, g 2 Of Excommunicatio>j,and other Qtn- fures, 35 Of the Sacraments in generall. 34 Of 'Bmifme. 3 5 Of the holy Supper of the Lord. u 6 Of tie effx:Acie , and true communica- tion of the thing fg>'.ijied by the ftgnes. 37,38 Of the Magifirate, and politicks laws. The Articles of the Englijl) ConfelTion. r\ F one God in three Per fans. \ Of [efus Chrtfi being the true . Sonne of God, and of the Jncarnati- tn\and other '^orkj of Kedemptien^ and-.i AndofhU tw9 natures hing ttnfi' ferahly ttmtedandHnconfoHnded. a ^fhis lajl coming» ^fthe holy Ghfifi , W hUworkiin ^fthe Catheli^ue Church f ^nd the oneoneiy King, head, dndhmbmd thereof» /^ Of the divers degrees of the Church, j Of the primacie of the Antichrifi of Rome, 5 Of the lanfHll culimg undEle^iion of Jidtnifiers, 6 Of their power , and the ufe of the Keyes. y Ofmarriage andaftngle life, 8 Of the (fanonicAll Scriptures, p Of the SacfAments^ and the number thereof. I o OfBaptiffue. I j Of the holy Eucharifl. ■ 1 2 Of thefale ofMajfes» I j OfPurgutorie. 1 4 Of Ceremonies , and Ecclefiafiicall rites 1 5 OfTrayer in a vulgar tongue, 1 6 Of the onely Intercejfour, andMedia* tour (^hrijh, 1 7 Of the corruption of man through jinne^ 'f hi6 iuflification through Chrifi. 18 Of the one onely facrifce of Chrifi , thereby tve are ferfelily reconciled to God. ip Of goodworks, 2Q Of the Ufi refurreBioH of thU flejh. 21 The Articles of the Confef- fion of Belgia» ^ E the E fence or nature tf God, 1 Of the double knowledge of God. 2 Of the beginnings and author of tkt "^ordof God. 5 Of the Canonic aK bcokj of the old and newTefiament. 4 Of their authoritie. 5 Of the ApocrjphaU books, 6 Of the perfeEiion of the CononieaH Scripture above aU the doSiriues of all men. y Of three perfons in one onely e fence of God. g Of the tefiimonies of both the Tefta- mentSy whereby both the Trinitie of the perfons ^ndalfo their properties may be proved, 9 Of the divine nature , and generation of lefus chrifi the Son of God. t o Of the divine nature of the holy Cjhofi, II Of the creation of the "^orld, andAu" gels ^and the dtjiinguijhing cf them. 12 Of the Providence of Gody andof hu iufi government, both genera'l, and Jjfeciall. I g Of the creation of man,hii fall, corrupt tion, and fer vile free-will. 1 4 Of originaU finne. 1 5 Of free eleBion^c^iufi reprobation. 1 6 Of the repairing cf man through Chrifi. 17 Of the fir fi coming of Chrifi, andhU true incarnatio» of the feed of ^a^ vid, 18 Of of hu t^a natures hyfoftattCARy «ni- ted in one onelj ferfo». I p Of the cHufe , or end of hu death y and refurre^ion. 20 Of hii one I) Prkfihoed^ and ex fiat o- riefacrifice, 2 1 Of faith , tke onelj injirftment of onr inftt feat ion, 2 2 Of true tuft I fie At id through (^hrifi.l^ Ofregenertition and good works. 24 Of the abrogai ing of the law andfha- dows, 2 s Of the onely Mediatour or Intercef- four Chrifiyrigainjl the Intercefsion of Saints. 26 Of the Catholique (^hurch, ij Of the unitie and communion thereof :8 Of true notes of the true Church, 29 Of the government idnd EccleJiapicaU funBiens, 30 Of the t leElion ofty/tiniflers^ Eiders tind Deacons, and of their authori' tie. 5 I Of EcclejiafiicaH traditions. 52 Of the SacramentSytind their nHtf)l>er. 33 OfBaptifme. 3 4 Of the Supper of the Lord. 3 5 Of Alagiftrates , and their o^ce and fewr. 36 Of the lijf Judgement. 5 7 The Articles of the Confcfli- on of y^u^urge. /^P Ged,andtheperfonsofthedlvi- nitie. I OforiginaUfinne, 2 Of the iucarnarion •f the Sonne of Cod. 3 Of Iu(lification. 4 Of the Treaching of Repentance ^ and generall Remlf[ion. 5 Of the righteoufnejfe «f good -works. 6 Of the (^hurch. j Of the Sacraments -which are admini- fired by evill men, S Of Bttptifme. 9 Of the Lords Supper, i o Of Repentance, 1 1 Of C onfej/ion. j 2 Of the ufe of Sacraments. 1 3 Of EcclejiafiicaH order, er degrees, 1 4 Of Ecclsfiaflicall rites* I 5 OfciviHoriUnAnces. 16 Ofthelafi -ftdgement, 17 Offree'-^m. 18 Of the caufe offinne, j p^ Of good -works. 2 o Of Invocation. .21 Articles concerning theabu- fis which are changed in externall rites. r\F the Maff'e, . i Of either kinde of the Sacrament, 2 Of Confeffion, 3 Of the difference of meats , and fuch like Vopiflj traditions. 4 Of the marriage of the Priefif, . 5 Of the vo^s of Monks. 6 Of EcclejiafiicaH fojfer, 7 • THE: The cliiefe points ofthe Con- felHon o^Saxonie^ QF/(?«^ Englifli, //?<«^«f Bclgia, Aufpurge, Saxo- nie, Wirtemberge, ^<:/ Sueveland. THE THIRTEENTH SECTION, pag. 2%6. (^F theSacrament of holy Baptifme. This Sedion confifteth of ic. Confeflions, to wit, Of the former confefsion of Hclvctht and. the declaration thereof, of the latter confefsion of WqIv^ixz, that of Bo- hemia, /165 French, /^? tnglilli, /^^« o/Bclgia, Aufpurge, Saxonie> Wirtembcrge, ^W Sueveland. THE FOVRTEENTH SECTIO^v. pag. 302. QF the holy Supper of the Lord. This Sedion confifteth of ; r. Conf elTions : to wit , Of the former confefsion of Helvetia , and the declaration thereof of the latter confefsion of Helvetia, that of Ba- fil, Bohemia, the French, the EngliOij^^^r a/Bclgia, Auipurge, Saxc- nie, Wirtemberge, ^W Sueveland. THE FIFTEENTH SECTION, pag. 35?. C\ F Ecclefiafticall meetings. This ScAion confifteth of 8. Con- fclTions: to wit, The fermer and latter confefsions 0/ Helvetia j ihat of Bohemia, the French, the Englifti, that cfSaxonic, Wirtem» Oerge,*^ Sueveland. . THE THE SIXTEENTH SECTION. ^pp6. r\V Holy dales, fafts, and the choifc of meats, and of the vifiting of the fickc, and the care that is to be bad for the dead. This Se(^ion confjfteth of p ContelTions,to mt^cftk Utter confefihn c/ Helvetia, that Prophets, Apoftlcs, and fpeaketfi yet un- to us by the holy Scriptures- And in this holy Scripture the univerfaU Church of Chrift hath all things fully expounded, whatfoever belong both to a faving faith,and alfo to the framing ol a life acceptable to God: in which re- fped it is expeffely commanded of God , that nothing be ei- ther put to, or taken from the fame. We j udge therefore that A fixMn a ThejirfiSe&mof theScrtpttire, ' from thefc Scriptures is to be taken true wifdomc and godli- nefTe, the reformation and government of Churches, alio the inftru(5tion in all duties of pietie : and to be (liort, the confir- mation of opinions and the confutation of errors, with all ex- X Tim. ?. hortations,according to that of the Ap. (lie, e^// Scripture in- jpired of (jod is f rentable for do^rincy for reproofe,(frc. AopimQ, Thefe things I rvrite unto thee (faith the Apolile to Timothy. I, Chap. 3.) that thou maifi k^d^ ho'S'v it behooveth thee to be converfant in the houfe of god, c^c. Againe^the felffatne Apo- X Their. 2.' ftle to the The^alonians^ When^ laith X^z^je reccivedthe VQcrdof us , ye received not the ivordof men , but , as it \V<« indeed^ the '^ordofgod, crc. lor the Lord hiiiif elf hath laid in the Gof- M «th. 10: Pslf > It ^ ^^^^ thatjpe^ke, but the j^irit of my F^uher^enkoth Luke 10 in J OH: therefore he that hearethyou, hsAretbme^ and I e that defpifethjeUjdefpifeth me. Wherefore when this word of God John 13.^ is now preached in the Church by Preachers lawfully called, we beieeve that the very word of God is preached, and recei- ved ofthe faith^'ull, and that neither any other word of God \5 to be fayned , or to be expsdled f?om heaven : and that now the word it felf which iapreacliied j is tobe regarded , not the Miniftcr that, preache'th %■. who although he be evilland a (in- ner, nevertheleiTe thewprdof God abideth true and good. Neither do wc think that therefore the outward preaching is to be thought as fruitlefle, becaufe tlie inftruflion in true reli- gion dependeth on the inward illumination of the fpirit , be- lev 12. cauicit is written, Nomanjhall teach his neighbour. For all P "' m.en Jha/l k»ow r»e. Andt^h^thatrpatreihyorhethatp/anteth.ig fiQthingJyftt godVchogiveth the increnfe. For albeit no man can John 6. cometa Chtifi, m/ejfe he he draVQn by the heavenly Father, and be. inwardly, iightned. by the holy Ghoft , yet we knowun- dovdjtewfy, that it is the will of God, that his wwd fhould be preached evettOLitwardly. God could indeed by his holy fpi- rit, orby theMiniflerycfanAngel, without the Miniftery of Saint P*^*??" have tat^ht Cornelipu in the A^s, butneverthe- ieije be rcferrcth him to Peter : of whom the Angel fpeaking iil:th^hepja^t€ll.thee ^'haf. ^hou muft das. Fofhe that illumina- t^th-inrwatdiy, by giving men the holy Ghoft, the fclffamc by way oi coaia?ai?)iei?ietjt faii wptp^ h^ Difciplcs » O'se ye into Tke frfi Se5fion of the Seriptme, j the V^hoU world^andf reach the Gojfellto every creMute, And fo Mark. i5. PnfnRaoD f _. fhefrfiSeSim9ftheScriptur€y pMitfth»Co»fiffiaHcf Bah ht. t)ftBngicoft§mane^dandrifi^cj>mmande Artie. 10» WE confeffe that as no man can com m and thofe things which Chrift hath not commanded, fo like wife no man can forbid thofc things which he hath not forbidden. And in the margent. For it is vn'xttcnyheare him. Alfo fedion the third, in the fame place. And much leffe can any man licenfe thofe thingSjWhich God hath forbidden,&c And in the mar^. Godjaidfl am lehova your Go^jLevit.i 8. andby Mofes^z\xt» lo/for lehovah yoHr Qodi^ Ccdofgodsy a great Godmdterri'- ^/(f. Who therefore among his creatures can grant thofe things which he hath forbidden,? Inlikc fort fedion 4. And againe,no man can forbid thofe things, which God hath grantcd,&c.The other things which are contained in this article, becaufe they belong to other feftions,they arc inferted, every one in their 9ff( of the Cofifejfionof Bo h E m ia er /Aecially they, who after an holy manner arc feto- ver the Church of God. For whicli caufes in our Churches and meetings this holy Scripture is rchearfed to the hearers in A 4 the % The firjl SeBm eft he Scripture, ^c'iJpf^mon^nd mother tqrfgue which all iiriderftaritf, and c- •^idallj^ (according to the ancient cuftome t^f the Church) tfejfe portions of the. Gofpels in Scripture, which are wont to tJc-rfcad dn-folcmnc holy dayes out of the Evangelifl-sand Apo- .it.Tut.7., -ftles writings, and are pfually called Gospels and Epiftlesrout .i.j.^ i 'fifwhfch- profitable and wholefomc dod^nes,a^dexhortati- -, t - ^©rw, and fermons arc made to the people, as at all times occa- , . "fion and need requircth. We likcwifc teach that the writings 'ofh6lyI>oftors,c(pcciallyQf thofe that arc ancient, arc aUb to be efteeitiedfor true and profitable: whereof there may be fome ufe toinftrud the people, yet onely in thofe things Vyhcrein tiicy agree with the holy Scripture,' or are odtcon- frarie thereuiito, and (o farre forth as they give tetVimonie to the excellencie thercof,to the information and exa mple of the ' Apoftohke Church, and fWerve not from the confent, Judge*- 'in'cnt, and decrees, of the ancient Church (wherein (lie hath continued unfpotted in the truth) after what fort they them- selves aUd have charged men to judge ^nd thinke of their V^Htingia'^hdhaye given warning that heed iliouldhc taken, 4efrtlfat'tliej^ Being but men, too much fhould beafcribedto upotem. i/t thf:fm. Of^hich thing S. ityfuguJUne fpeaketh in this manner. ^ defan^. jg^ ^^^ ^^^ ^ fervdnt to my writings^ as it wfre to the Camely\ihz\2. fmall Prophets, (namely Of e Joel, Amos, Ab- diah^ Ionah,Michea,NahHm,Abacfic,Sopho»j Haggaie, Zacha- rie,Malachic) the holy Gofpel of lefus Chrift according to Matthew, Marks, Z//%, and M«, the <^cis of the ApDftles, Patfls Epiftles (namely one to the Romanes, two to the Corin- thiajJSj one to the GalathUns, one to the Ephejtans, one to the Philip ft^nsy one to the CoUoJfmns, tvvoto thQThejfalonMns, twoto TimotBejonttoTitWyOnz to Philemon, the EpiiHe to the Hebrews, xht Epiftlc oilitmesxwo Epiftles oiPeter^t\M^c EpiftlesofMwjone Epiftleof//^^, /o^»Jti?^w/rf?»V«. We acknowledge thefe bookes to be CaHonical!,tbat is,w« .ir.'n. 4 account them as the riile & fquare of our faith,and that not on- ly for the common confent of theChurcbjbutalfo much more for the tsOimonie and inward perfwafionof the Holy Ghoft, ;by whofe infpiration we are taught to difcerne them from o- ihertcckfiafticall bookes: which howfoever they may bee profitable, yet are they not fuch, that any one article of faith may be builded upon them. We beleeve that the word contained in thefe books came ^..^;^^ from one God,of whom alone,and not of men, the authority thereof dependeth. And feeing this is the fumme of all truth, conteining whatfoever is required for tlie worl"hipofGod and ourfalvation, we hold it not lawfull for^nen, no not for the Angels themfelves , to adde or detradl any thing from that word, or to alter any whit at all in the lame. And hereupon it followethjthat it is not lawfiill to oppofeeither antiquitie, ca- ' ftome, multitude, mans wifedome and judgement, edidts^er any decreeSjOr CouncelSjor vifions,GimiracleS; unto thishdy Scripture^ I o The fir fi S eB'ion of the Scripture. Scripture, but rather that ail things ought to be examined, and tried by the rule and fquare thereof. Wherefore we doe for this caufc alio allow th jle three Creeds, na tneiy the Apoftles, the Nicen, and Athanafius his Creed, becaufe they bo agree- able to the written Word of God. Out of the English Confejfion, \ 7^ 7^'^^^^^^^^"^^^^^'^^^^ ^^^^^^^^"°"^caU Scriptures, ^/«/^.10. y Y both ofthe Old and New Teftament, giving thankes to our God, who hath raifed up unto us that Jight, which wc might ever have before our eyes ; left either by the fubtiltic of man, or by the fnarcs ofthe devill, wc fhould be carried away to errors,and lies. Alfo we profefle that thefc be the heavenly voyces, whereby God hath opened unto us his will : and that onely in them mans heart can have (ctled reft : that in them be abundantly, and fully comprehended all things,whatfoevec be needfull for oar helpc, as Origen^ fiy^mnHine^ Chryfofiome, and Cjri/lHs, have taught : That they te the very might and firength to attain tofalvation:tkat they he thefonndations ofthe Frophets and oyfpofiieSy Whereupon is built the Church of God : that they be the very fureand infallible rule, whereby maybe tried, whether the Church doe fwerve, or erre, and whereunto all Ecclefiafticall dodrine ought to be called to ac- count : and,that againft thefe Scriptures neither law, nor ordi- nance, nor any cuftome, ought to be heard : no though Patil himfelfe, or an Angel from heaven lliouldcome and teach the contrary. Oftt ofthe ConfeJJiOft ofB E L G I a . . rale. 1. T T E hath revealed hhnfelfe much more plainly in his holy Sab fiim. n Word , To farre forth as it is expedient for his owne glo • ry j and the falvation of his in this life. ^nic. J. . We confeffe that this Word of God was not brought or de- livered by any will of man : but that holy men of God infpired by Gods holy Spirit fpake it, as S.Petcr witnefleth : but after- ward God himfelf for that exceeding tedercarefulnes which -.:;.::;: r . he 'The fir fi Section oft he Scripture, 1 1 fcehathofhisj 2ndoft^e^r falvaticn, gaveinComminionto hisfervantstheApoftlcsand Prophets, that they fl^ouldput thofe oracles in writing : and he himlelfc alfo wrote the two Tables of the Law with his own finger: which is the caule why we call fuch writings facred and divine Scripture. And wc comprehend the holy Scripture in thofe two books cf the Old and New Teftament, whichare called the canoni- Ante. 4. callbookes: about which there was never any adoe. And of them this is the number and alfo the order, received of the Church of Gcd. The five bcokes cf Mofes, the book of lofua, oftheludgcs, of Ruth, two books of Samuel, two of the Kings,two of the Chroniclcs,which are called Para ipomena, the nrft of Efdras : Nehemiah,lfler,Tob:alfo Davids rfalmes, •-/ #4 three books of Solomon, nainely the Proverbs, Fcclef:aftes, '^-^i and the Song of Songs : the fbure great Prophets, £f<^j, lere- ~ ^ mie^E^kielli and Daniel : and furthermore al'^o the i 2. fmall Prophets : moreover the Canonicall bookes of the New Tc- ftament are, the foure Evangelifts, namely ^aint Matthew, f^ ^?arkc,T ukc, and John, the Ads of the Apofllcs, the 1 4. 1 pi- ftles of Saint Paul, and feven of the other Apoftlcs, the Re ve- lation of Saint John the ApoRle. Thcfe books alone doc we /fnic.<, receive as facred and canonical, whereupon cur faith may re(f, be confirmed and eftabhllied : therfore without any dcubt wc belceve alfo thofe things, which are contained in them, and that not fo much becaufe the Church receiveth and alio weth them for Canonicall,as for that the holy Ghcft beareth witnes toourconfciences that they came from God, and moft of all for that they alfo te ft ilie and juftifieby themfelves this their owne facred au* horitie, and fanditie, feeing that even the blinde may clcarcly behold, and as it were feele the fulfilling and accomplifliment of all things which were foretold in thefe writings. Wc furthermore make a difference betweene the holy ^^^-^^ ^ bookes,and thofe which they call Apocriphall : for fo much as the Apocriphall may be read in the Church, and it is lawf ull alfbfofarre to gather inftrudions out of them, as they agree with the Canonicall bookesjbut their authoritie,and certaintic is not fuch, as that any doftrinc touching faith or Chriflian Religion^ 1 1 Thefrfi Seciion of the Scripm-e. Religion, may fafely be bnilt upon their teftimonic i fo ftrre oft'is it, that they can difanuU or impaire the authoritie of the other. ^ ilk. 7 . We beleevc alfo that this holy Scripture doth moft perfc^fi"- ly containe all the willof God,and that in it all things are abun- dantly taught whatfoever is nec^flary tobebelecvedofman to attainefalvation. Therefore feeing the whole manner of v^orfliipping God, which God rcquircth at; the bands, of the faithfull, is there moft exquifitely and at large fet downS:, it is lawful! for no man,although behave the authoritie of an Apor file, no not for any Angel fent from heaven, as Saint Paul fpcakcth, to teach otlicrwife then we have long fince been* taught in the holy Scriptures. For feeing it is forbidden that any one fl:iould adde ordetrad any thing from the Word of God, thereby it is evident enough- that thish,oly dodrjne is perfeft and abfolute in all points mi pat^cels thercpf ; md therefore no other writings of men , although never fohply, nocLiftome, no multitude, no antiquitic, nor prefcriptiop of times, nor perfonallfuccefllon, nor any councels; and to con- clude, no decrees or ordinances ofmenaretobematcWpr compared with thefe divine Scriptures and b^rc truth ojfCiod, for fo much as Gods truth excelieth all things. !For all inen oF their owns nature are lyars, and lighter then vanitieit fcl,£es therefore we doc utterly refuic whatfoever things agree not with this moft certainc rule, as we have beene taught jby.tfie Apoftles, when they fay : Trie thejpirlts "Whether they he of God, And,Ifa)ijf come uuiojoUf andi^rmgnot thU doHrine^ref cehe him net to houfe, c^c, Om of thtShXOHS (^onfejfion. Of DoElrine, S Being k is moft undoubtedly true, that God outef man- kindc tiotb gather together unto himfclfe a Church unto eternall life for and by his Sonne, through preaching of that ^do^in&. which is vvrittenjki the bookcs of the Prophets^^ i/^ppftjc^, >we pl^iplK; j^YO^Gb ,b?§)i:e G^ anjd. ^h^ whglc tao:^Uj/. ' ' ' Church Thefirfi SiSlion of the Scriptur e. 13 Cburch in heaven and in earth, that we doe with a true Faith embrace all the writings of the Prophets and Apoftks, and that in that very natural! ineanning, which is fet downc in the Creeds of the Apotlles,of Nice,and of ^y^fhatjajtiu. And thefe felfc fame Creedes,-and the naturall meanning of them we haveaUvaiesconflantly embraced without corruption, and will by Gods helpe alwaies embrace : and in this faith doe we call upon the true God , who fending his Sonne , and giving deare teftimonies, hath revealed himfelf in his Church ; joyn- ing our prayer with all Saints in heaven and in earth : and our ;.:';^/j, ^^/j,^ declarations upon the Creeds arc abroad, containing the 7. adhmccoK^ whole body and ground of dcxflrine, which (hew that this our f'jT- '*'» in ^2; prpteftation is mofl: true, We doe alfovery refolutely con-'/Z:^^'^^^^ demne allbraJneficke fantafies, which arc againft the Creeds: ^^' ^'^*-*"'*' as are the monftrpus opinions of heathen men, of the lewes, of the Mahometiftsjof iVarcion,the Manichees, of Samofatc- nuSjServetuSjArrius, and thofe that deny the perfon of the holy Ghoft,and other opinions coniemned by the true /adgc- mciitpf the Church. .. . OutoftheCoyjfiJfiGnofWiKTEii-BBKG'E, Of the holy Scripurc, C H A P. ^o. , T;Hc holy Scriptures we call thofe Canonicail. books of the video' ft. u t, old and new Tcftament, of whofe authoritie there was •» ^anc co.fcjf. never doubt made in the v hurch. This Scripture we bcleevc and confeflc to be the Oracle of the holy Ghoft, fo coniirmed by heavenly teftimonies, that If an Angel from heaven f reach any other thin^ Jet him be acmrfed, Wlierefore we dcteftall dodrine, worihip,and Religion contrary to this ScripturcBut whereas fome men thinke, that all dodrinc necc^ary to be known of ns to true & everlafting falvation is not contained in this Scriptare,and that the right of expounding this Scripture lyeth fo in the power of chiefe Biinopsjithat what they ac- cording to their owne will give out, is to be embraced for the meaning 107. J, TuuwMw.'' , Jerot^e ^ Xhtfi" 'Trie filkthingSy and keepe that rehich u good, Auguftine againli Maximiws-.a4iil^P 0^ the Arriansin his 5^ bookcj-Chap. j 4. faith, 1 6 The firfi Section of the Scripture, *aith. But mw am I neither to cite the (^mncel of Nice, mry$u the Councel of Aftmine, m it were to -^reiudice the matter, nei' theram Ibowidby the amhoritie of the one, nor yoti by the att' thoritie of the other : vith authorities of Serif ture, rohich arc Vpitnejfes not f roper to any one^ but common to us both Jet matter with matter, caufe jvith caufe, reafon with rea/an,^€. And Pa- ncrmitane in the Chz^tct JigHijicafti.Extr.Jkelt^io, In things concerning f att hj even the verdiB of one private ma» were to be ferftrred before the Popes^fhe were lead with better "Warrants of the old andne^ Tejiament then the Pope^ And Gerfon in the firft part about triali of doctrines. Thefirfi truth Jbonldfiandythat if there a pUine private man fnfficiently infiruEled in holy Scrip" turemore credit were to be given in a cafe ofdoUrine to his ajfer- tion^tken to the Popes definitive fentence. For it id plainest hat the Gojpel is more to be beleeved then the Pope. If then a man fe leaned teach any truth to be contained in the Gojpely where the Pope '^ere either ignorant, cr willingly (kceived,it is clear e "^hofe indgement ^'ere to be preferred. (iAnda little after Sftcha tear- nea man ought in that cafe, while agenerall Qomiccl were holden^ ' at which he himfelfe wereprefent, tofet himfelfe a^ainfl it, if he Should perceive the greater part of malice or iqnorance to incline to that Vi'hich is contrarie to the Gojpel. Of Ecclefafiicall JVriters, Chap. 34. Rife up before an hoare head, faith the Scripture, andrevC' rence the per f on of an old man. We do therefore reverence . thegrayhairesof ouranceftours, whoevenfincethcGofpell began to be revealed and publiflied have in the world taken upon them the travellof furthering the Chorch , not only by preaching , but alfo by publike writings that the pofteritic might from the Apoflles, even unto this time , have manifeft and certaine teltimonies of the holy dodlrine. And we fo em- brace their writings, as both the holy Scripture alloWeth u$ to ufe- mans authoritie, and-as themfclves would have their Wrl-^ lobiz, tingssiCknoy^hSgcd. (Tou my friends fay )' that in the anci" snt id wifdome, and in the length of daies is underfianding (but I ThefecondSeStienofGod. 17 fay unto yon) that with him , to rvit, ^ith the Lard our god is '^ifdomeattdflrengthhe.hAth cottrtceH and tt»derfian(^ng. And 1 Corinth. 4. Let the Prophets Jpeake two »r three , anklet the refi indge. And , Try all things , and keefe that '^hlch 14 good. I Thefr.5. It id not latvf till for Ui to bring; in anything of our own r.^.. . f-^L jj heady no notfo much m to take that which any man hath brought fcripjjarci. in ofhij opM head. We have the Apsjtles of t(j9 L^rd for At*' thorSy who chofe nothing of their own heads vfhichthey might hringin : but thedi/cipline which they received of Chrifl , they faithfully d. liver ed to all nations, iftd AugHJiin* faith, Neither ^Ph^^ '^^ ^'^'^ ought we to efeeme of the writings of any men , although thty be '"^'"^j •''• C AthoUke and commendable ferJoKS y at of the Canonicall Scrip- tures,as though it were not la^full(yeelding them thjt reverence which is due untofuch men ) to difalU^ and refu/e fame thing in their writings, if perchance we finde that they have thought 0- therVfife tfjen the truth :.< under/iood either of others y or of our fe Ives, through the gift ofCod.Such am I in other mens writings y , p , • ^ I would have them conjiruers ofmirte. Againe,5tf thou not ty n',, . ^^ jn?;k, edto my Writings as it were to the Ca/^onicall Scriptures : but in the Canonicall Scriptures , that which thou didfi not beleeve^ \k''hen thou hafl faund it , beleeve it incontinently : but in min; that Vchich thou thoughtejl to be undoubtedly true , unleffe thfu perceive it to be true indeed, holdit not refolutely , And againe, I neither can nor ought to deny ^t hat as in thofe Vcho have aone be- ji 4 ymenu fore J fo alfo in fo many fiend r )^orks of mine there are many L'n things y '^hich may Vcith upright iudgement and no rajhnejfe be blamed. And againe, I have learned to give this reverence to In Epifl. ai thefe JVritt rs alone , which are now called Qanontcall. Againe, ^*''''''» But I fo read other Sy that be they nevsrfo holjyor never fo learn- edy I do net therefore thinkeit true,beca^fe they havefo thought, but becaufe they could perf'^ade me by other Authoryor by Caw»- nically or at leafi by probable reafoy.s^ Vfhich dif agree not from the truth. And in another place, PVho knorveth not that haty Scrip- ^l'*'^':''-'^'^^- ture,&c. And,Doenot brother ag:tinj} fo many diviney&c. For ''^'",t,"* ^f*^^' thefe places are known even oat of the Popes own Decree. B <^m T^ Thefirfl SeBion of the Scripture» Out of the Qonfejfion of S u E v E ^L :a'K d. Art. I. {f. I. whence Sermom are to bet Aken, FIrft, a controverfie being raifed amongftthe learned, about ccrtainc Articles of Chdftian do^rine, when as the peo- ple with us were daHgeroufly divided by reaibn of contrary preachings, we charged oi>r Preachers, thattbey fiiould hence- forth broach nothing to the people in any Serrrion , which ei- ther \s not taught in the Scriptures of God , or hath not fure -ground thereout ; as it was openly Decreed in the Affcmbly holdenat Norimberge \n\\^Q. 3 2 yecre after the fmaller ac- count : which moreover is alfo the opinion of all the holy Fa- thers. For feeing Saint P^»/ writeth, That the Scripture gi- ven by infpiration of God ii profitable to teach.to improve, to ccr- reU, andtoinfirHfiy that the titan of God may be abfolutej beinr made perfeEh to every good vforkSi we could not determine any » other wife, but that it was meet, that w^ alio being in danger -of fchifmc Tnould flie to that holy Scriptur^,to which in times part; not onely the holy 'Fathers, Billiops, and Princes, but alio "the children of God every wherein fuch extreamitie have al" waies reforted. F^r Saint Lttks witnefleth , not without fm- 'gular commendation of the T'^jfjfrf/*!'^/^»»/, that they compa- iced the Gofpel they had heard of the Apoille with the 5 crip- turc,and tried it. 7'io firanae Godj before my face. I am the Lord, and Ezid.zo. there is none other ^ befide rrn there ii no ^od. Atn Kot I the Lord^and there is nnne other befide me alone ? a tuft Cjod, and a Saviour, there IG. ^4. « none befide ?w. I the Lordjjehovah.jhe mercifuli God,graciopu^and lonrrfufferini^, and aboundint in goodnejfe and truth, c^c. Exod."^/^. We neyerthelefle beleeve and teach, that the fameinfinite,one, and indivL^ble God is in perfons infeparably and without confiilion diftinguiilied into the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghoft, foas the Father hath begotten the Son from everlafting, the Son is be- gotten by an unfpeakable manner, and th;^ holy Ghoft proceedcth from them both, and that from everlaQii-ig , and is to be worftiip- ped with them both. So that there be not three Gods , buf .three perfons, confubftantiall,coeternal], and coequall, diftind,as touch- ing their perfons, and in order one going before another, yet with- out any inequalitie. For as touching their nature or eflencethey arc io * joyned together , that they are but one God, and the di- * riJe ohfe,vi vine eilence is common to the Father,thc Son, and the holy Ghoft, 1 in hmccoi- For the Scripture hath delivered unto 4s. a manifeft" diftinc^ion c£j^If' B 2 ' perfons, 20 The fee ond Self ion of God, perfons, the Angel among other things faying thus to the bleHed Luk. X. Virgin : The holy Ghofi Jhull come upo» thee , andthepa'^er of the highej^ JJjall overpjcidorp thecyandthat holy thing "^hlch poall be borne. Jhall be cdRed tlee Son of God, Alfo in the Baptiiinc o f Lhrill a voice Macth.?. washeard from heaven, faying, ThhiimybdovedSon, The holy Ghoji alfo appeared in the likenejfe cf aD ove. And when the Lord , himfelfcommanded to baptize, he commanded To baptize in the name of the Father ,an!i of the Son^ and of the holy (jhefi. i n like fort J , ^ clfe where in the GQijpell he laid , The Father V^ull fend the hoij J 4 • > . (^^^j} i„ fj^j tiame. Againe he faith, JVhen the Comforter P). ill comey yohom I ^'tll fend unto yopifom the Fathtr, thejpirit of trmh , yvho proceedeth from the Father^ hejhallbeare witnejfe cf me^ ^c. To be lliort, we receive ttie Apoflles Creed , bccauieit deiivereth unto us the true faith. We ther e fore condemne the lews and the Mahometifts , aad aU thofe that blafpheme thfs Trinitie, that is facred,and onely to bs adored. We alfo condemne all herefies and heretikes,which teach that the Son and the holy Ghoft are_God onely in name, alfo that there is in the Trinitie ibme thing created, and that fervethand miniftreth unto an other : finally, that there is in it fome thing un- equali, greater or lelTe, corporal), or corporally fa iHone^, in man- ners or in win divers,either confounded, or fole by it felf : as if the Son and holy Ghoft were the afFeflions and proprieties of one God the Father, as the Monarchl(}s,thc Novations, Praxeas, the Fatripaffians, Sabe/HtiSyS^*mofate/ttiSi AetimyMacedoniHijArrim, and fuch like have thought. Ai Of Idols or Jma^s of God, of Chriflyand of Saints^ Chap. <. - Nd bccaufe God is an invifible fpirit, and an incomprehenf:- .ble e (fence, he can not therefore by any Art or Image be ex- preffed. For which caufe we feare not with the Scrip^turc to tearmethe Images of God meere I es. We doe therefore rej'edr not onely the Idols of the Gentiles, but alfo the images of Chrifti- ans. \ or although Chrift tooke upon him mans nature, yet he did not therefore take it , that he might fet forth a patterne for Car- , vers and Painters. He denyed that he came , To dejiroj the Law ^^ '^' andthe Prophets : But images are forbidden in the Law and the ^ophets. He dzm,z , ing that the blefled fpirits, and Saints in heaven , while they lived a Cor.6. hercabhorred all woriliip done unto themfelves,and fpake againft images, who can thinke it likely, that the Saints in heaven, and the Ad. j, and 1 4 , Angels are delighted with their own Images, whereunto men do bow their knees, uncover their heads, and give fuch other like ho- nour ? But that men might be inftruded in Religion , and put in minde of heavenly things, and of their own falvatioa, the Lord commanded T0 preach the Gejpelly not to paint, and inftrud the Mirk". 16. Laytie by pidlures : he al(b inftitutcd Sacraments,but he nb where appointed Images- Furthermore , in every place, which way to- ever we turne our eyes , we may fee the lively and true creatures of God, which if they be marked, as is meet, they doe much more cftedually moove the beholder, then all the Images, or vaine, un- mooveable , rotten , and dead pictures of alt men whatfoever , of which the Prophet fpake truly , They have eyes, and fee tiet, crc. P^a'.i i f . Therefore we approove the judgement of LAElumm an ancient [ writer , who faith , Vndvfibtedty there uno religion^ wheresoever there U a piBme. And we affirme that die blelTed Bifhop Epi' phamus did well, viho finding on the Church doores a vaile, that had painted in i: the piBme as it might he of Chrifi, or of fame other Saint, he cut and too^e it away : For that contrary to the authoritie of the Scriptures he had fee ne the piEiure of a nuin to hang in the church ofChrift : and therefore he charged that fiom thenceforth nafuch vuiles^ ychtch were contrary to our. religion, fhouldbe hanged up in the Church ofChrifi, but that rAther fuch fcruple foouldhe ta- ke» awaj:, which was unrnorthy the Church of Chrift,andaIlfaithfuJl people^ Moreover we approove this fentence of S, AugujlinetCap. ^$jdeverarelig. Let not the wor/hip of m:ns"A>orks be a religion un- to U6, For the'^orkntenthemfelves that makefuch things are better^ ^hom jet ^e ought not to "^orfhlp. ^5 V Of ^2 Thefecond'SeBm ^fGod, v.i;-\ •,; •:. ..: . ..: ^ . Ojtheifilyfii^^i^fpjippHgyArihHhifd'MiitgofGcd, thrortgh theone^ MedlateHrfefiu Chrifl. '\7"\7'E teach men to adore and worll»ip the true God albire i; this honour we impart to none, according to the rom- Matih.4> mandement of theLofd, thoH/halt adore the LordtUj God, and him alone /halt thou n or/hip, or, him onclj Jhalt thou ferve. Safely all the Prophets inveighed earnefrly againPt the people oFliraelV whenfoever they did adore and worfhip ftrange gods, and not the one tjnely true God. But we teach that Cjod i^ to he adored and Worjhipped, as hiitifclfchath taught us to vvorlliip him, to weete, lohn <. i»Jpirit and truth, not with any fuperftitlon, but with finccritie, li"3,66. according to his word,lefl: at any time he alfo fay unto uSi^A'hohath' Ier.7. required thefe things at your hands ? For Paul^fo {aith. Cod is not Ads 17. worjhipedicyithmanshandf, as though he needed a»j thing-, r^c. "Wc in all dangers, and cafualtics of our life, call on him alone, and that by the mediation of the onsly Mediatour, and our intcrceflbur J e- fiisChrifl:. For it is exprefly commanded us, C4//«^^»>«^/« /i5?6> Lord in thyftght m man E xod. j 4. u innocent^ that is, perfedly holy. And in the book of lob it is writ- lob. i j. ten, what U man, that he Jhouldbe undefiledy andhe that is borne of a^omAnythat he jhouUaffeareiuJi ? (to wit, before God.) Be^ hold among his Saints^none is immutable, and the heavens are not cieane in his fight : how much more abominable and unprofirable many vpho drinketh in iniquitie as roater ? And the holy Scripture plainly witnefleth throughout all the bookes thereof, that all men even from their birth are by nature finners, and that there neither pf,]^ ," *' is, nor hath beenc anyone, who of himfelfe and by himfelfe was righteous and holy, but all kive gene a fide from Cod^ and Are be- ^^^ .^ come u*}profitabk^ and of no account at al!. And whereas fome are made holy and acceptable unto God, that ispurchafed unto them without any worthinefle or merit of theirs, by him, who alone is holy. Godhimielfe, of the meere grace, and unfpcakable richv^s of his goodnefle hath ordained, and brought them to that eftate, that they be blefled, and called redeemed by ChriH-, cleanfed and confecrated by his blood, annointed of the holy Ghoft, made righ- teous and holy by faith in Chrift, and adorned with commenda- ble vcrtucsand good deeds or workes, which befeeme a Chriftian profeffion : Ot whom many having finillied thtir life and couric in fuch vvorke^j have now received and doe enjoy by grace eter- nall felicitie in heaven, where God crowneth thofe that be his. Some of them alfo God hath indued with a certain peculiar grace of his, and with divine giftf, unto the minifterie, and to the pub- like and common good of the Church, fuchas were the Patri- arches, Prophets, and other holy fathers, ahb Apoftles, Evange- liftsjBidiops, and many Dodors and Paftors: and alio other fa- "inous men , and of rare excellencie , and very well furnillied with the fpirit, whofe memory, monuments of their labcurf, and the good things which they did, are extant and continue even untiU this day in the holy Scriptures and in the Church* But 2f8 - TheftcondSeclionofGod. But efpecially it is both beleeved, and by open confefiion mads knowne , as touching the holy Virgin Mary , that (hs was a daughter of the blood royal', ofthehoufe and family of Z><«z/iW thatdeare fervant and friend of God : and that (lie was chofcn and blefledofGod the Father, confecrated bythcholyChoft, vi- fited, and (anflified above other of her fexe: andalfo replenifhed with wonderful! grace and power of God to this end, that (he might become the true mother of our Lord lefus Chrift the Son of God : of whom he vouchfafed to take our nature : and that fho was at all times, before her birth, in the fame, and after it, a true, chafte, and pure Virgine : and that by her beft beloved Sonne, the Sonne alfo of the living God, through the price of his death, and the cftufion of his moft holy blood, fhc was dearely redeemed and fandified, as alfo made one of the dearc, partakers of C hrift by the holy Ghoft through faith, being adorned with excellent gifts, no- ble vertues, and fruits of good workes, renowned as happic be- fore all others, and made moft adiiredly a /oyntheireofcverla- fling life- ^y^d a little after. Furthermore, it is taught in the Church, that no man ought fo to reverence holy men as we arc to worihip Cjod, much leflc their Images, or to reverence them with that worfhip and affedion of minde which onely are due to God alone. And,tobelliort,bynomeanesto honour them with divine worlliip, or to give it unto them. For God faith by the Vxo^hct E fay y I amthe Lordthy God^ thu ismyname^ I tvill not E la 41.48, giyg jnine hcnour to another, nor my glory to Images, <^gaine a little after. But even as that thing is gair^-faid, that the honour due to God fliould be given to Saints, fo it is by no meanes to be fufferedjthat the honour of the Lambe Chrift our Lord, and things belonging to him, and due to him alone, and appertaining to the proper and true Pricfthood of his nature, fliould be transferred to them t that is, left of them, and thole torments which they fuf- fcred, we l"hould make redeemers or merits in this life, orelie advocates, interce (fours, and Mediatours in heaven, or that we fhould invocate them, and not them onely, but not (b much ss i Tim. %, the holy Angels, feeing they are not God. For there iaone onely w i)r. 9. Redeemer, who being once delivered to death, facrificed him- * ^ ^ '*■ vocate, the moft mercifull Lord of us all. And they are not onely to be reputed and taken for Saints, who arc gone before us, and are fallen a fleepe in the Lord, and d weli now The fee end Sexton of God. 2 9 nowinjoyes, but alfothey, who Cas there have alwaies beene Tome upon earth) (o doe like wife live now on the earth : luch arc all true and godly Chnftians, in what place or countrey foever, here or there, and among what people loev er they lead their life : who by being baptized in the name of the Lord rnay be fancfliried, and being indued with true faith in the Sonne of God, and let 011 fire, arc mutually enfiamcd with aff eiflion of divine charitie and ieve : who alfo acknowledging the juftification of C hriilj doe ufc both it and abfolution from their (inn:s,and the communion of the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Chrilf, and diligently apply " themlelves to all holy cxercifes ofpietie befeeming a Chrirtian profcfiion : as alfo the Apoftles caU fuch beleevers in Chrift ,- (which as yet like ftrangers are convetlant hereon earth accor- ding to the llate of mortall men) Saints. As for example, Tf are j p^ , ^. a choje» generation, arejall Prieflhoed, anholj yiation, a fectiliar x Coi ij. peopk. Againe, ^/Ithe Saints grcete you In like manner. Salute ^d H-w.i 5 . thofe that have the over fight of ^ou^ and all the Saint s^ that is, all feithfu^lChriflians. For this caufe it is taught that wc ought, with intire love and favour of the heart to embrace all (hriflians, before all other peo- pk,and when need is, from the fame afteiflion of love to afford unto iliem our fevice and to bclpe them : further, that we rught tomaintaine the focietie of holy friendl"hip with thofe that love and follow the truth of Chrii}, with all good affeiflion to conceive well of them, to have them inhonour for Chrifts lake, to give un- Rom n. to them due reverence from the affjclionof Chriflian love, and G3I.6. to (ludie in procuring 2JI good by our dutie and lervice to plea ure ' ^^ * *' them, and finally to defire their prayers for us^ And that t hrifti- ans going aflray, and intangled with finnes, are lovingly and gently to be brought to amendment ; that compaHion is to be had on them, that they are with a quiet minde in love, foasbccom- eth, to be borne withaU, that prayer is to be made unto God for them, that he would bring them againe into the way of falvation, to the end that the holy Golpel may be fpread farther abroad, and Chrifts glory may be made knowne and enlarged among ail men. vv Out of the French Confeffiort. E bdocvc and acknowledge one ondy God, who is one onely and fimple cflence,ipiritual],epernall, invifible, im- mutable., 3 o TIjc fecond Section of God, mutable, infinite, incomprehenfible, unfpeakable, almightic, mofi ; wife, good, jufl:, and mercifull. The holy Scripture teachethus tkac in that one and fimple di- vine effence, there be three perfons fubfifting, the Father, the Sonne, and the holyGhoO:. The Father, to wit, the firft caufe in order, and the beginning ofali things: the Sonne, hiswifdomc and everlafting word ; the holy Ghoft, his vertue.power, and eP- ficacie : the Sonne begotten cf the Father from everlafting, the holy Ghoft from everlafting proceeding from theiFatherand the Sonne : which three perfons are not confounded but'diftind, and yetnotdividedjbutcpeflentia'ljcoeternall, andcoequall. And to conclude, in this myfterje we allow of that which tbofe fcure ancient Counccls hj3ve decreed : and we deteft allictftscondcm- > nedbythoL' holyaix;ient Do^flors, into tlie:SonnQ, and info ThefeeondStZitonefGodi 31 into the holy Ghofl: ; and that they all be of c ne power, of one jnajeftie, of one eterhiticofone Gotihead;anci one iubiuince. And -akhough thefe three perfons be fo divided, that neirlier the Fa- ther is the Sonne, nor the Sonne is the holy GhoO-, or tlic lather, yet neverthelefle we beleeve, that there is but one very (^od : And that the fame one God hath created heaven, -and earth, and all things contained under heaven. We beleeve,that lefus Chrift the onely Sonne of the eternall jiiilc a. ■lrd.thcr, ^C'ThercJl of this Article y OH Jhall fndetn the (•. feBion^ ■ vrhereHKto thofe things doe fro^erlj fertainry W^hichare coKtmnedin •this fecond article^ of the Ferfon and Office ofChrifl. We beleeve that the holy Ghoft, who is the third pcrfoniii the Artie j. Trinitie, is very God, not made, not created, not begotten, but .proceeding both from the Father and the Sonncjby a certain mean •unknowne unto man, and unfpeakablc : and that it is his very :propertieto mollifie and foften the hardnes of mans heart, when he is once, received into' the hearts of men, either by the whole- fome preaching of the Golptl, or by any other way i that he doth give other men light, and guide them unto the knowledge oi God, to all way of truth, to newneile of life, andto everlafting hope of falvation. ' : :*Neithcr havc' we any oth^t^Iediatour, 2i\)dIfJtercej[ofir,by ^j^tic ,^ whom we may have aceelfe to God the father ,then lefus Chrirf, •in whofc onely name all things are obtained at his Fathers hand. 'ButitisalliamefuUpart, andfull6finfidelitie, that we fee every where ufed in the Churches of our adverlaries, not onely in that they will have innumerable iorts of J/^<^r^ro/^r/, and that utterly without the authoritk of Gods word, (ib that asjeremie faith,the {[\c Saints be no"^ as many inriHffther, or rather abcveihsnHmber fifthe Cities : And poore-men cannot tell, to which J'aint ifwerc bcft to turne them drd : and though there be lo many, as they cannot be toid, yet every of- theiti hath his pecuhar dutie and of- fice alTigned unto him by thcfe fblkcs, what to give, and what to bring to paflc) But befides this alio, in that they doe not onely wickedly, but alio iliamefuUy call upon the Bleffed Virgin Chrifts Mother, to have her remember, that fhe is the Another, And to Com" m^nd her Sonne, and to ulc a Mvthirs authoritie over him,. Out ■3 2 The fecond Section of God, vv Om of the ConfeJJion "oFNice, and ^iAthanafim, and whatfoever things they, according to the meaning of thole Creeds, have fet do wnc, concerning this ^oint of doctrine. Artie. 10. We bclceve that'Mj^'Chrift intefpe(ft ef his divine nat ure h the onely Sonne of God, begotten from everlafting, not made or 'created (for then he iTiould be a creature) but of the fame eflencc 'With the Father, and coeternall with him : who alfo is the true Image of the Fathers fubftancc, and the brightneffe of his glory, in all things cquall unto him. But he is the Sonne of God,not one- ly fince the time he tooke upon him our nature, but from cverla- fting, as thcfe tefli monies being laid together teach us. LPl'fofes faith, that god created the )^orldi but Saint /o^» faith, That all thin^s)»€re made by the word, which he calleth God : fo the Apa- ■ftle to the Hehre^es avoUcheth,that God made all things hj bu San Jeftu (^hrifi. It followeth therefore, that he who is called both (3od, and the Word, and the Sonne,and lefus Chrifl had his being even then, when all things were made by him. Therefore Mi- cheah the Prophet f^ith, Hi6 going out hath beene from the begin' mng^fromthe dajes ofeternltie : againe, ffe U without beginning ofdayes,andmthoHtendofUJe. He is therefore that true God, cternaUvAlmightie,whom we pray unto, worfhipjand fcrve. Anictu Wcbeleeve alfo and confeffe, that the holy Ghoft proceedcth fiom the Father and the Sonne from everlafting, and that there- fore be was neither made, norcreated, nor begotten, but onely |)roceeding from them both, who is in order the third perfon of the Trinitie, of the fame cffence, glory and majeftie with the Fa- ther and the Sonne, and therefore he alfo is true and everlafting jrtic %6 ^o<^i ^s the holy Scriptures teach us. We alfo beleeve that we have no accefle to God , but by that one onely Mcdiatour and Advocate iefusChrift the righteous, who Was therefore made man ( uniting the humanitic to the Di- vine nature ) that there might be an pntrance made for us miiera- feic men to the Majeftie of God i which had otberwife been fhnt ap againft usfor ever. Yet the Majeftie and power of this Media- tour ThefecondSeSiien^of God, ^ tout ( whom the Father had fct between himfcif and us) ought in no cafe fo much to Fray us, that we fhould therefore thinkc ano- ther is to be fought at our own pleafurc. For there is none either among the heauenly or earthly creatures, who doth more entirely love us then Chrift himfelf, who when he was in the fhape of God, bumbled himfelf by taking upon him the (hapc of a fervant, and for our lakes became like unto his brethren in all points, and if weweretofeekeanotherMediatour, who would vouchfafcus fome good will , whom I pray you , could we finde , that would love us more earneOly then he, who willingly laid his life downe for us, when as yet we were his enemies ? If moreover we werp to feeke another that excelleth both in fovcraign authoritie and alio power, who ever obtained fo great power, as he himfelf, who fitteth at the right hand of God the Father, and tp whom all pow- er is given in heaven and in earth ? To conclude , who was mor€ likely to be heard of God,then that onely begotten and dearely be-' loved *- on of God? therefore nothing butdiftruft brought in this cuftome,whercby we rather difhonor the SainrsCwhom we think to honour J in doing thefe things , which they in their life time were ever fofarre from doing, that they rather conftanMy and ac- cording to their dutie abhorred them, as their own writings beare witneSe. Neither is our own unworthineffe here to be aUeadged ibr excule of fo great ungodlinefle. For we at no hand offer up our prayers trufting to our own worthinefle , but reining upon th^ only worthinefle and excellcncie of the Lord lefus Chrift, whofe righteou^neffe is ours by faith, whereupon the Apoftle for good caufc to exempt us from this vaine feare ( or rather diftruft) (aith, thatChriftwasinall things made like unto his brethren , that he might be a mercifull and faithftill high Prieft in thofe things that were to be done with God for the dcanfing of the peoples fins. Tor in as much as he heing temped hath jHJfered , he U alfo able to help thofe that are tempted. And that he might encourage us to come the more boldly tothishiqh Prieft,, the fame Apoftle 3d- deth. Having therefore a great high Prie^ , "^ho hath emre'd the heavens^ even lefiu the Son of God y let UiholdfajithufrofeJfioM. For^e have not an high Priefi that cannot be tottched^ith the fee- ling of our infirmities, but he V^m in all things tempted in likeforttjet rpithoutfin.Let m therefore "^ith holdnejfe approach uuto the tkroue nf grace, that W? maj obtain mercie and finde ^race to help in time of need. The iamc Apoftle faith , that '^e have libmit tognter into C a thff 3^6 Tfjefecoi^dSeBhti of God» ^ the holy flACe through the blotd of Jefm . Let us therefore draw neer '9eith aconftant ferj^afionoffaith^c^Ci Andagaine, Chriflhathan everlafiitfgPriefihood, Wherefore he is able ^Ifo to favethem^ that cemffumo Godb^ hlm^ feeing heeverliveth, to mnke inter cejfion for thent.Wh^Lt nctd many words? when as Chrift h\mkWi^khJam the W4^, the truethy and the life. No man commnh to the father bm by me. Why (Kblild we feek unto our lelvcsany other Advocate ? cfpeciaUy feeing it hath pleafed God himfelf to give us his own ^n for our advocate, there is no caufc why forfaking him wc fliould feck another, left by continuall feeking we never ^A•"'", '^- - i'"^:-*? *ibo.; io. Om of the Confeffion o/ A u s p u R ' G S'. ^ THE Churches with comiiibn confeht among us doe teach, that the Decree of the N; iccne Councell , concerning the u- nitic of the Divine Effence, and of the three perfons, is true, and without all doubt to be beleeved : To wit, that there is one Di- vine Eflcnce, which is called, and is God, eternail, without body, indivifible, of infinite power, wifdome, goodaefl'e, the Creator ■ and prcferver of all things vifible and invifible : and that there be -three perfons, of the fame effence, and power, which alfo are coe- •tcmall, the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghoft. And they ufe the ' fiame of pcrfon in that fignification, in which the Ecclefiafticall Writers nave ufed it in this caufe to fignifie not a part or qualitie in -another,but that which propejdy fubfifteth. They condcmne all h:refics (prung up againft this Article, as the Manichccs, whofet down two beginnings, Good and Evill *. they doc in like fort condemn the Valentinians, Arrians, Eunomi- ans, Mahomctifts,and allfiich like. They condemn alfo the Samo- iatcncs, old and new, who when they carneftly defend that there ^ is but one pcrfon, do craftily and wickedly dally after the manner of Rhetoricians» about the fVordaad the holy Ghofi^ that they arc not Thefec$nd SeBUn of Ced. 3 7 not drfHn(5l pcrfbns, but that the fTor^figniiicth a vocall word, asd the JfiViV a motion created in things. We have found tkis 2 1 . Jrticiefetfcrth three MvfriH^itpf, « T he frft Edition \ ^^p.g^oeththm. ' INvocation is an honour , which is to bo given onely to God AI- mightie, that is, to the eternall Father, and to his Son our Savi- our lelusChrift, andtothehoIyGhoft. And God hath propfed his Son lefus Chrift for a Mediatour, and high Prieft that maketh interceflion for us. He teftifieth, that for him alone our pra^'ers are heard and accepted, according to that faying , JVhAtfoevery-u dike the Father in my name, heJhaUgive it toy oh, Againe, There U one Mediatour Iretyveene God and men. Therefore let them that call upon God offer up their prayers by the Son of God , as in the end of prayers it is accuftomed to be faid in the Church , through lefta Chrift, &c. Thcfe things arc needful! to be taught concerning Invocation , as cur men have clfc-wherc more at large written of Invocation. But contrariwifc the cuftome of invocating Saints that are departed out of this life is to be reprooved and quite throwne out of the Church, becaufe this cuftsme transfcr- rcth the glory due to God alone unto men , it afcribeth unto the dead an Omnipotencie , in that Saints fhouldfee the motions of mens hearts, yea it afcribeth unto the dead the office of" Chrift the Mediatour, and without all doubt obfcureth the glory of Chrift. Therefore we condemne the whole cuftome of invocating Saints departed, and thinke it is to be avoided. Notwithftanding it pro- fiteth to recite the true Hiftories of holy men,becaufe their exam» pies doc profitably inftrud, if they be rightly propounded. When we bcare that Davids fall was forgiven him , faith \s confirmed in us alfo. The conftancie of the ancient Martyrs doth now i ike- wife ftrengthen the mindcs of the godly. For this ufc it ispfoff- table to recite the Hiftories. But yet there had need be dilaetioft in apply ing examples. Thnt 38 ThefecondSe^ionofGod, tii'iK-' ThefeeondEiUnon k thus. Artie. 21. GOnccrning the worfliip of Saints they teach, that it is profita- ble to proppfe the memory of Saints , that bj their examples wc may ftrengthen our faith, and that we may follow their iaith and good works , fo ferre as every mans calling rcquireth, as .tbcEmperour may ioXio^N Davids example in making warreto beate backe the Turks , for either of them is a King : we ought alfo to give God thanks, that he hath propounded fo many and glorious examples of his mercic in the Saints of" his Church , and ■that he hath adorned his Church with moft excellent gifts and vcftues of holy men. The Saints themf eives alfo are to be comr mended, who have holilyufed thofe gifts which they employed to the beautifying of the Church : But the Scripture teacheth not to invocate Saints, or to aske help of Saints,but layeth onely Chrifl beforeusforaMediatour, Propitiatour, high Prieft and Intcrccf- four. Concerninghim wehave commandements and promifes, that we invocate him, and (hpuld be refolved that our prayers arc heard , when we flie to this high Prieft and IntcrceHbur , as I'ohn Aith, Chap. 16. IVhAtfoever ye fiMl aske the Father in my namt^ he mllgivt it you, ^c. and lohn 1 4. whatfoevtr, pjhall oike in mj mme y that livill doe. Thcfe teliimonies bid us flie unto Chrift, they command us to b^leevethat Chrift is. the Ijntcrceffour and Peace maker, they bid us truft affuredly that we are h^ard of the Father for Chrifts fake. But as touching the Saints, there are nei- |her commandements , nor promifes, nor examples for this pur- pofc in the Scriptures. And Chrifts office and lionour is obfcured, wlieDmen Aie to Saints , and take them for Mediatcurs , and invocate them » and frame unto themfclvcs.an opinion , that the Saints are morc^racious and fotransferrethe confidence due to Cl)nft!:unto,$aints. But ?«««/ faith , There is one Mediutourbe" XteetniG9dAndmen. Therefore Chrift cfpecially requireth this worfhip, that we fhould beleevc that he is to be fought unto, that he is the Interceflbur, for whofe fake we are fure to be heardj&c. 3 .v.\ V /» ThefecendSeSiionof €6d. %f In the third EditioM thefe things an thw found, Artie, ar. Touching the worfl^.ip of Saints they teach, that the memory of Saints may be fet before us , that we may follow their faith and good works according to our calling , astheEmperour may follow Davids example in making warre to drive away the Turks from his countrey : for either of them is a King. But the Scripture teacheth not to invocate Saints,or to aske helpof Saints,- becaufeit propoundethuntous oneChriftthcMediatour, ProjM-- tiatour,high Prieft,and interceflbur. This Chrift is to be invocatcd, and he hatli promifed that he will hcare our prayers^nd liketh this worfhip efpecially, to wit, that he be invocated in all afBiAioriii> 1 loh. 2 . Jf*i>tJ TKAn^H, -VPS have an Advocate rvith Gfd, ©-c. Out of the CofifeJ/ionofS a x o N y. OfittvocatinggodljfTUcn that are departed out of this life,^, y"^ Artie. 22. - .; r IN the 42. Chapter of Efay it is written , lam the Lcnrd\fhisU^ my name , / '^itt not give mj/ glorj to another : Invocation is a glory moft properly belonging to God, as the Lord {aith, Matth.4.- Thoujhalt rvorjhif the Lord thy God, and him onljjhalt thoufervei\ And it is animmooveablcand eternall Deace of the firft Conti-'-' tn^ndcmcntjThouJhalt have no ft range Gods. Tt is ncceffary there-' fore that the dodrin touching Invocation fhould be moft purd^j upholdenin the Church, for the corrupting of w^ the devill,evcnt lince the beginning of mankind, hath and will divers wayes fcattef^ feeds. Wherefore we ought to be the more watchfiill i ■ and witH^ greater care to reteine the manner of invocation or adoration fet • down in Gods word, according to that faying, Whatfoever ye Jhall aske the Father in my name,he mU do it. In thefe words there. is art- order eftabliflied , which we ought moft conftantly to maintaine,' not to mingle therewith other means contrary to Gods word, or' which are warranted by no example approoved in the Saipturcs. There is no greater vertue, no comfort more efieduall, then true invocation. Tiiey therefore muft needs be reproovcd, who cither negled true invocation or corrupt it,as there be divers corruptions. Many doe not difceme their own invocation fix)m that which fs C 4 keatheTiiili^ ^ ThefecondSe^thn r>fGod, hcathenidi , neither indeed conli ier what it is which they fptakc unto. Of.th^ife the Lord {aith^ /^^ Chapter 4, Teworfhipye knoi»n»tyvhat. He will have the Church to consider whereto it lpeaketh,faying,fri? worjhip that ^e ^wW.Many confiJer not whe- ther ocwl^tc^ore theyOiallbe heard. They recite prayers, and yet they doubt ^although it be written , Let him ask^ infahh with- oHtrmvermg^ Of theic matters we will fpeake el(e-where. In this place we reiproove this heathenilh corruption, whereby the cuftomc of thole that call upon men departed out of this life , is defended, and help or intcrccflion islcxjght for at their hands. Such invocation (warveth from God, andgivetb unto creatures vertue, help» orintercelHon. For they that fpeake fomewhat modeftly,fpeakeof interceilion alone. But humane (iiperftition gocth on farther , andgiveth vertue to them, as many publike ibngsdecbre. O Alary Mether cf ^ace\ defend thottm from the tnemie, andrecehe m in the houre of death. Thcfe fhort verf cs have we heard a Monk of their divinitic fay before one that lay a d v ing and often repeating them^ wherashe made no mention of Chrift: and many fiich examples might be rehearfed. There are yet alfo other bfaiu'-fick opinions. Some are thought to be more gracious with fuch or fuch images : thefe franrike ima- ginations feeing they are at the firft fight like be&theniili conceits, doe undoubtedly both greatly provoke the wrath of God, and are to be reproovedby the Teachers, and Oiarpiy to bepuniilicd by Godly Magiftrates, which rcproofe containcth thefe three manifeft realgns : To afcribe unto creatures omnipotencie, is impictic. Invocation of a creature , which is departed from the focietie of this life ,- af that it beholdcth all mens hearts, and difcem- eth the true (ighes thereof from feined and hypocriticall. Tlie/e arc onely to be given to the eternall Father, to his Sonne our Ijord IcfusChrift, and to the holy Glx>ft. Invocation therefore is not to be made to men, that are departed out of this life. It is to be lamented that thcfe evils are not perceived; but looketo thy felfe, and weigh what tliou doef^: in this invocation thou forfakeft God , and doeft not coofider what thou docft invocatc, and thou laiiQ\V€ft that thofc pattones which thou feekeft , as jisitte and George , fee, pot the motion of rfiy heart , who if they knew thcmlclv'es tabp invocated, they would even tremble, and ij^dnotfeave this hooeui: due toQod , given to any aeaturcs. But The fecond Section cfGod. ^ |. But what kinde of invocation is thereof thedeafe? Albeit we know whatanlwer the Adver(ariesmake (for they have coyned cavils to dekjdc the truth) yet Gods tcIHtnonies are wanting to their anlwer, and prayer which is without faith (that is, when thoii canft not be refolved v/hctber God allow and admit fuch kinde of praying) is in vaine. We remember that Luther often faid, that in the oldTeftameat it ii a cleare tefiimome ojtheMejJtah his Godheadj Tphich affirmeth that heistoheinvocated, and by thi^ fro^ertieisthe A^eJJias there dtjlinauijhedfrom other Prophets : he compbined that that mod weightie tcltiraonie was obfcured and weakened by transferring prayer to other men. And for this oncly caufe he faid, that the cu- ftomc of praying to other was to be mifliked. The fecond reafon is, Invocation is vaine without faith,and no wor{jhip is to be brought into the Church without Gods com- mandement : but there is no one fentence to be feene , which Hiewcth that this prayer made to men, which they maintaine, pleafethGod, and is effectaall: the prayer therefore is vaine. For what kinde of praying is i% in this fort to co-iie unto Ameov George ? I pray unto thee, bat I doubt whether thy intercellion do me good, J doubt whether thou heareft me, or helpeftme. If men underfloodthefe hid finnes, they would curfe fuch kinde of prayers, as they are indeed to be curfed, and are heathenilli. Af- terward of fuch faults what outrages cnfue ? flocking and praying to particular images, craving certaine benefits of every one; of e/^>?»^, riches are begged, asof/»«(?, of George ^ conquefts, as of Mars^ oiSebafiian and Pauly {reedome from the Plaguei of An' /fe<7^jr,favegardfbr fwine, although the advcriarics fay they like not thefe things, yet they keepe them flill for gaine lakc,as plain- ly appeareth. Now let us adde the third reafon : it is cxprefTelj wnitQn.there ii one Ale Sat our betW^ene Godatjd men , the T)ian Chrifl lefm ^ on him ought we in all prayer to caft our eyes, and to know the do- drine of the Gofpel concerning him, that no man can come unto God but by confidence in the Mediatour, who together maketh rcqueft for us, as himfelfe faith. NomancemethtotheV.atherJfut by the S^nne. And he biddeth us flie unto himfelfe, %'ing. (^'ame unto ryte allje that labour and are heavy louden^ and I Vcill refreJJ} you: and he himfelfe teacheth the manner of lnvocation,whsn he faith, Whatfotveryejhall aske the Father ia my vame^ he "^illgive h you 4£ ThefecondScijionofGod. yoH, He nameth the Father, that thou maycft diftinguilli thy in- \ ocation from heathenifh, and confidcr what thou fpcakcft unto : that thou maift confidcr him to be the true God, who by fending his Sonne, hath revealed himfelfc, that thy minde may not wan- der, as the heatheniilh woman in the tragedy fpeaketh, I^ray tuu unto thee, O God, yphatfoever thou art^ ^c. But that thou maift know him to be the true C;od, who by the fending,crucifying,anil and railing up again ot his Son hath revealed himlclfe, and maicfl: know him to be fuch a one as he hath revealed himfelfc. Secondly, that thou mayeft know, that he doth fo for a certaintie receive and hearc us, making our prayers wlien we flie to his Sonne the Mcdiatour, crucified and railed up againe for us, and defire that for his fake we may be received, heard,helped, and faved, neither is any man received or heard of God by any other meanes. Nei- ther is the praying uncertaine, but he biddeth thofe that pray on this fort to be rciblved through a ftrong faith, that this worlliip pleafcth God, and that they who pray on this manner are aflured- ly received and heard ; therefore he faith, whatfoever yeJhMleuke inmyname,^2X\s, acknowledging, and naming or calling upon me as the Redeemer, high Pricft , and IntercelTour : this high Prieft alone goeth into the holieft place, that is, into the fecret counfellof the Dcitie, and Teeth the mindeof the eternall Father, and maketh rcqusft for us, and fearchingour hearts prefenteth our forrowesjfighes, and prayers unto him. It is plaine that this dodrine of the J/'ediatour was obfcurcd and corrupted, when men went tpthe Mother Virgin, as more mercifull,and others fought other Mediatours, And it is plaine that there is no example to be fcen in the Prophets or Apoftlcs, where prayer is made unto men, heare me Abraham, or heare me O God for fiAbrahams fake : but prayer is made unto God, who hath revealed himfelfe.to wir,to the eternall Father, to the Sonne ourLordlefusChri-l-, and to the bolyohoft, that he would re- ceive, heare and fave us for the Sonnes lake. It is alfo expreirely mada to the Son, as 2TheJf.i Onr Lordlefta Cbrifi himfelfe,and Cod and our Father, Who hath loved m^ firengthen joh,&c^ And Gen.^'^ Jacob nameth God, and the Sonne the Mcdiatour, when he faith, God before Whom my fathers tvalked, and the A»gel that delivered me oat of ad troubles fthat is the proiniled Saviour^ ^/fjj^ thefe children. Therefore We ufe thefs formes of Invocation. I 'tall upon thee O Almighty God,eternall rather of our Lord lefus ■ - Chrift, The fecond Section of God, 4 ^ Chrifi, maker of heaven an earth, together with thy Sonne our Lord Jefus Chrift, and thy holy Spirit, O wife, true, good, righte- ous, mofl free,chqfte, and mcrcifuU God , have mercy upon me, and for lefus C hrifts fake, thy Sonne, crucified for us, and faifed up againe, hcare and fandifie me with thy holy Spirit. I call upon thee O lefus Chrift, the fonne of God, crucified for us, andraifed up againe : have mercy on me, pray for me unto the e\ erlafting Father, and fanclifie me with thy holy Spirit. In thefe formes we know what we pray unto. And feeing there are teftimonies of Gods word to be I eene, which llicwthat this praying pleafeth God, and is heard, fuch praying may be made in faith. Thefe things are not to be found in that invocation which is made uTito men. Some gather teftimonies out of Augufiins and others, to fhcw that the Saints in heaven have care of humane affaires- This may more plainly be fhewed by Mofes zndliUs talking with Chrifl-. And there is noc'oubt but that fuch as are inhappineffe pray for the Church, but yet it followeth not thereupon that they are to be prayed unto. And albeit we teach that men are not ^o be prayed unto,yet we propound the hiftories of thofe that are in bleffed date unto the people. Becaufc it isneceflary that the hifrory of the Church be by fome meancs known unto all, by what teftimonies the Church is called together and founded, and how it is preferved, and what kinde of doctrine hath beene publiflied by the fathers. Prophets, ApoftleS; and Martyrs. In thefe hiftories we command all to give thankes unto God, for that he hath revealed himfelfc, that he hath gathered together his C hurch by his Son , that he bath delivered this dodrine unto us, and hath fent teachers, and hath iTiewed in them the witnefles of himlelfe : we command all- to confidcr of this doflrine, and to flrengthen their faith by thofe teflimonics, which God hath ihewedin them. That they like wife conuder the examples of judgement aind punilliments, that thef^areof God maybe flirredupinthcm -.we command them to follow their faith, patience, and other vertaes, that they iearne that in Godisnorefpedof perfons, and defireto have themfelves alfb received, heard, governed, favedy and helped, as Godreceived DavU, Mana f[eSj Magdalene j the thiefe on the Crofle. We alfo teach how theie examples are to be followed of every man in his vocation ; becaufc error in imitation, and prcpoflerouszealc is^ft times the caulc of great evils. We alfo commend the diligence cf 4'4 ^^^ fccond S cBhn of God. * "Dt cfu^me ofthe JTaltits tfeemfslyes, who took hc^^d of * wading Gods gifts %!ivat^\ad^'^ '" ^^"^^* "^^^ ^° conclude, they that are moft Foolcs may gather lanTcori'/if. g^^^^ ^^^^^ of dodrine out of thefe hiftories, which doctrine i$ 5' '.if?. 4. prohtablc to be publiaicd to the people, fo that fuperllition bs fet afide. Out ofthe Confejfton o/Wittemb£RGE Chap. i. 'VT \7 E bcleeve and confeffe that there is one onely God, true, eternall, and infinite, almightie, maker of all things vifible and invifible, and that in this one and eternall Godhead there are three properties or pcrfonsof themfelvesfubfifting, the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghoft. AsthePropheticaliand Apoftoli- ali Scriptures teach, and the Creedes ofthe Apoftles of Nice and o^ (tAthnrtdJim declare. Of the Sonne of God. Chap. 2. \}\/^ beleeve and confeffe that the Sonne of God our Lord V V lefus Chrift, was begotten of his Father from everla- fting, true and everlafting God, confubftantiall with his Father, ^C, Lioke the refl in the 6 . divifion. OfthehdyGhoft. Chap. 3. 'yj'^'^ beleeve and confeffe that the holy Ghofl: proceedeth from God the Father, from everlafting, that he is true and eternall God, ofthe fame effence, and maieftie,and glory with the Father, and the Sonne, as the holy Fathers, by authoritie of the holy Scripture, well declared in rfic Councel of C onftantinople againftMaccdonius. Of Invocation of Saint s» Chap. »j. THcrc is no doubt but the memorie ofthoicSaintSiWho wh«n they were in tfiis bodily hfc furthered the Church either b/ doftrinc. The fee ond Sexton of God, 4/ do^lrlne or writings, or by miracles,or by examples, and have ei- ther witnefl'ed the truth of the Gofpel by Martyrdome, or by a quiet kinde of death Fallen on fleepe in Chrift, ought to be facred with all the godly : and they are to be commended to the Church, that by their doiftrine and examples, we may be ftrengthned in true faith, and inflamed to follow true godlinefle. V\^e confefle alfo, that the Saints in heaven doe after their cer- ta'ne manner pray for us before God, as the Angels alfo are care- * y.^.^ o'Tey^. u full for us, and all the creatures doe after a certaine heavenly nun- id confef. ner groane for our ialvation, and travell together with us, as P^ul >axo;i.jea. t. fpeaketh. But as the worfhip of invocation of creatures is not to be inftitutcd upon their groanings, fo upon the prayer of Saints in heaven, we may not allow the invocation of Saints- For touching the invocating of them, there is no commandement, nor exam- ple in the holy Scriptures. For feeing all hope of our Salvation is to be put, not in the Saints, but in our Lord God alone, through his Sonne our Lord iefus Chrifl, itiscleare, that not th^ Saints, but God alone is to be prayed unto. How Jha/l they call o» him, (mh Paulyin whom they beleeve not .''-but we muft not beleeve in the Saints : how then ihall we pray unto them ? hnA feeing it mufl: needs be, that he who is prayed unto be a learchcr of the heart, the Saints ought hot to be prayed unto, becaufe they are no fcarchersof the heart. Epiphanim faith, UHatries bo^y wm holy indeed^ hutytt not Gody Contra CoUy- Jhercas indeed a VirgiHy and honoHrahlCy but (hswa^ not propounded '^"^^'-'^^' for adortitionybnt her felfetvorflnppedhim,yvho (U coytcerning hiijiejh TVAs borne of her. Aultinelaith Let not the vporjhipofdeadmenbe iDezeraYeli^. Any religion unto m^ bccanfe if they have lived ho lily ^ they are not fo '^<'P- '^^^' to be accounted of , tu that they' Jhould feekefuch honoHr^but rather they will hAve him to be ^or /hipped ofm , by Vehom them/elves being illuminAtedreioyce^that we Jhould be fellow fervants of their rew.rrd. ,. They are therefore to be honoured for imitation not to be worjhipped '"" * for Religion fake. And againe in the fame place. JVe honour them "^ith lovey not withfervice. Neither doe we erefl temples unto them^ for they will not have themfelvesfo to be honoured of us ^ becaufe they kno^ that W(? our felves beinggood, are the Temples of the high God. And againe, Neither doe we confecrate temples, Priejlhaodsy holy oc chU Dei I S rites, ceremonies^andfacrtfices unto thefame UMartyrSy feeing not •'^P ^7' they, but their God, it our God, &c. We neither ordaine Priefisfor fiHr Martyrs, nor offer facrifices. Ambrofc upon the Komans,Chap. I, They 4^ ThefecondSeBfon of Cod, I . They are wont toufea miferahte excufeyfajing, that hy thefi,fMen 7)taj have accejfe unto God^ as to a King by Earles. Got to^ ii anj manfo mad^ I fray y oh, that being for get full of his cw*ie falvatim keroiEchaUinge, a^ ^t for an Barle^ theroya/tie of a King? And ftrcight after. Thejemen thinke them not guilty , thfit give the ho. nour of Gods name to a creature y and leaving the Lord^orfhiij their fellovffervAnts, But we, fay they, worrhipnot the Saints, butonely defire to be holpen afore -^ od by their prayers. But lb to defire, as the fer- vice of Le-anies (licweth, and is commonly ufed.is nothing eife but to call apcn and worship Saints: for (uchdefiring requireth, that he who is dcfircd, be every where prefent and heare the peti- tion. But this : * ajefty agreeth to ' -od alone, and if it be given to the creature, the creature is wcrfhippcd. Some men faine that the Saints f^e in Gods Word, what things God prom ifeth, and what things feeme profitable for us: which thing although it be not impoifible Co the Majeftie of God, yet Ef^y plainly avoucheth, That zAbr^ham knonperth ns not, and JfraeUsig^'orantofm : where the ordinary glofle citeth AugU' ^;W, faying, that the dead, evenSai/.ts, kne may give himfuch •worfhipt ashy vchich-tve may fignifie that n>e thinks^that the Lord is not to he made equallypith any amonq men, although every of them "^ere a thoufand times , and above, more righteous then they nre-, Offt of the Confejfion ' in this fenlc, that they thought it an abominable thing to admit a- ny Images, either graven or painted, in the Church, although they' were not other wiie ignorant, what our liberty is, as in all exter- nall things, fo likewile iaimagcs. For they pothing doubted but that it was fiat contrary bodito the commandements of Scrip- ture, and alio to the hoi)' religion. Which may eipecially be pre- yed even by thofe things whichblefTed ji?/?//?W/w in times paft Bil"hop of Salaminitim in CjfrHiy writeth oi himfelfe in an Eplr 0:lctoytf/;«BillTiopofIerufalem, whicK ^Ifo Saint lerom^pxcnz^ outof Greckeinto Latine, becaufe he thought 'it both Chriftiab, and profitable to be read, and thefe are Efifh'Mim own words, H^ hen rre went together to the ho/^ place which ii called Bet het, \,that tkere I might mAke a, cofleBJon with thee, after thecMJlomeqf jheChHrch, ana ^'Oi come tQ the vi Rage which k called Anabloiha, andfajjing hyfa^ there a Lamp burningy and had as k^d what place itwa6,and hadUarnedthat it ^''ds a Churchy and was gone in to fray, J found there a vailc hanging at the entrie of the fame Church, fiai>ied and paintedyand having the Image as, it might be ofChrifi or feme Saint ^ (for I doe not weii remember whofepi^ure it was) when therefore I had fecne this in Chrifls Church contrary to the com' mandcmentoftht^cripture, that there hung a mans plElnre, I cut it : and moreover J counfelled the keepers of that place that they JJjouldwinde and burie fame poore body in /V. And a little after, when he had brought an excufe for his delay in fending another vaile . ti:at he had promifed, he addeth. And now I havefent that Ifejftld . finde^ and I pray thee bid the Elders of the fame place tat^ the voile , " thut'^e havefent, of the bearer, and bid that henceforth fuel} vaif^s as bee contrary to our religion be not hfingcd up In the Church of . Chrif. Loe this godly Eilhop writeth, that it is againO: the holy , Scriptures, and Chriftian Religion to have even Chrifts owns pidure in the Church : and that info plaine words, that it may . appeare to them, that as well the, ;^il"hop of lerufalem himfelfe, ., ,and Lromey as all other men ©f that age throughout the fame, and 5^. .that that faiA and cuftome of detcfting Images hath bcene'd- i, i D wai'es ^o Thtjtcnnd Seciion of God, %itajiu^ controll inthcfc words : 'Coe ft?, tet them telinie hoV(> Godii kyiown bj imhget^thkt is, ivhether It he for the mmer ypherebfthej confifi^or for iheforhts imprinted in ^r!.^v.j The [econd'Sfi^iioifof Cod. ^^ that mmer. Jfthe mttejrfir.vetkeff^nfy .what nfedu theiejwi»^ joti of I he forme ? For Cm himfelfe Jfjweth forth even In theipattjeXf before that anj thing he framed, thereof hj p^ans hands, for all things fhe^ forth Godf glory. But ifthe forme j^tfelfe^ which is fit ted to i^e rfuitter,giveth(JCcaJfon tok^o'^ ^sd,rt>,hat medefuch Irfiagesfmigh^ not God be k^nowne farrc mpreexqell^tlj h) thf ^things tktmfepvfj', "^'hereof Images he made i furely the glorj of God ff^tghtptMch wore Z'ifhly befeetse, by the living creaturfs the.mfelvfs\(tfher r^ofoM" ble^or unreafonable^ jet before our eyes, thenhj dead Images fvhich cannot move. And if any man fhall fay, thefe things might well be brought againd: Images, by which men thinkc they may come to tbe knowledge ofCiod, but we are to thinke other wife of the Images of our Lord lefiis Chrift, and other Saints. Let him in like fort thinke that God did many externall workes in Ifrael , of which he commandcth them ,to bemindefuHforevcr: and that he raifed up unto them not a few famcus andholy men, whole faith he would never have them to.'-fol-gct. Yet he never efta- blitlned the memoriallof thcmby fuch Images: that he might give no occafion of backfliding or Apoftafic, which is wont to fol- low the wori"hipping of Images. VVherefore in the purer Primi- tive Church it was abomination to have even the Image of Chri^f., as hath beei?e afore ihc wed. To be fliort, our Frc^achers confefle that Images of themfelves are indi/fereht. To that no worfhip or adoration be done unto them. But it is^ not, enough for a Chriftian man to have a thing free, but he ought 'ahJ(7aies to have a diligent rcfpe(5l hereunto, whether theiame be profitable for edification. 1 Cor.io. for nothing is to be fuffered or aflayed in the Church, which hath not in it lome certaine ufe of edifying. Seeing then it plainly appeareth what gricYous offences I magqs jn timcs^aft brought forth, and doe as yet bring forth ; and feeing it cannOtjje ^^ewed, what profit canbe hoped for.thereof (unfeile peraclven- , lure we will be counted quicker lighted then God himlelfe, and the ancient ChriCrians that were truely godly, who werfe-fofafre from taking any pr.ofit thereby, that they even abhorred Images in 'churches) all Images and Idols are worthily to be abhorred in the Church. Neither can the wockcmanOiip of the Cherubins upon the Arke of the Covenant or other ornaments of the Tdm- ^ - ^ - A pie, which the Patron soflmagcs are wont to cbicd^^Untous/hki-'^i .1 r.^c-^l ^gfier tliis truth among Chriftians. For God had exprelfelycofti- n\a;;)de4 theChcriimtp be made, but he MO]M riot have them ^f2. The thirilSeWn. dfih'e eternAllfrovidence Ycenepftncpcopk. And all the other things, were ordainecf fi- ~ thcr for the hcautie of thc.Temple, thsnto leame any knowledge of God thereby : although from them (as from all the reft of Gods ^ wofkes) they which were fpirituall, might take occafion to me- 'ditateuponthegoodnefteofGod. But it is requifite alfotocal] I te to minde, thatwc' are much more bound to woriliipGod '^^ir it and in truth t'hen they of old time were : for that we "Wi morepleiitifutly inriched with Ghriftsfpirir, if we truely be- 'fceveinhim. ^\j^'r,;^n ^-q ,v^ I'KH E T HI RDS E€# I ON. Of THE ETERNALL Providence of God, and the 3R:)if! Creation of the World. r-,1- vJV/ Ail K'/Di (■■1 ...nj cii t-.ij'.JTi.Miit )iiec/','i-^ii:' .t « «,,„,1 il .^\,Qf toe providence ofUmr '-'• ■ ,' - f ■■ '. . , .-. I " " C H A:lf. i^i/; "■•'■;'■; • E beleeve that allthingSjKot^ in'fieavcn and in eai th, and in all creature? a^eJJiftained and governed by the ptovidcnce oi this wile; etcmall, and omnipo- tent Codk. For P^mW witnerteth, and fiith/ The -riMTiiniiiTi fi r- 1 Lord-l^Ugh ahovc <^llnali':m, andhk glorj above the ^heavens. Jvhoisa^oHr GodVchod^e/leth on high a^dyct hatKhleth himfelft, to beholdthe things that are in heaven ,vid earth ? Againe Pfal 139..3. h^iMiyThoHhaftforefeeneallmy^vajes.For tkere^ is not a^ord in my tongue, y^'hich thou knowefi not wholly, 0 Lord. 6^c. Paul al- Afts X 7. 2». ^ fo witnelletband faith, 'By him W^ live, meve, and have cur king. Rome u . s tf ._ And, of him, at^ through him, and from him are all things. 1 here- . forp ay^ugufiine both truely and according to the Scripture faid , , in ;^is booke De agoneChripi'^cufX The Lord faid, tAre not tyvs ■■^Axro'^es Cold for a farthings md one of thtm Jhall not fall 9n the "** ground of God, and the creation of the World, f 5 groundrnthout theyf ill of jour Father ? By fpeakin^ thttihe^OHld ffive Hi to underfi and that tvhatfoever men connt moji i/ile, that at» {0 ts Qovermd by the almightie porrerofGod. For the tr nth which fald, that all the haires of our heads are numbred, faith al[9 that the birds efthe aire are fed by him, and the lillies of the f eld are clothed hj him. We therefore condemnc the Epicures who denie the provi- dence of God, and allthofe, whoblafphemoufly affirme,thatGod is occupied about the poles of heaven, and that he neither feeth orregar'dcthus nor.our affaires. The princely Prophet Z) rfz.xW al- io condemned theie men, when as he faid, O Lord, How long^ pr.1I.94. hor» long /hall the wicked triumph, they fay ths Lorddoth notfee^h' thcr deth the God o/Iacob regard it. Vnderjland ye unwife among the people, and ye fooles^hen^illye bejvije. He that hath planted the eare,flj^ll he not heare^andhi th.tt hathformedthe eie, hovD jheuld he not fee ? Notwithftarhiing we doe not contemne the meanes whereby the providence of God worketh, as though they were unprofitable, but we teach, that we muft apply our fclves unto them, fo farre as they a-e commended to us in the word oi God. Wherefore we miilike the ralli fpeechcs of fuch as fay, that li by the providence of God all things are governed, then all our ftndits and endevcurs are unprofitable- It lli^li be fulticient , if vve lea^^e or permit all things to be governed by the providence of God, and weiliallnot need hereafter to becarefiillorto be taught in any matter.' For though Paul did confefle that he did fail^ by the pro- vidence of God> w ho had (aid to him. Thou muft te/lifie of me alfo Acs a j . 1 1. At Rome^v^ho moreover promifed and faid, There JI?all not fo much 04 eaefouleperif). Neither fhall an haire fall from your heads. Yet the mariners deviling how they mjght tinde a way toefcape, the iame PauK^Ath to the Centurion, and to the louldiers , Vnle^e Afts »7.34. thefe remaine in thefhip^ ye can not befafe. For God who hath ap- pointed, every thing his end, he alfo hath ordained the beginning and the meanes by which we muft attaine unto the end. The heathens afcribe things toblinde fortune and uncertaine chance, but Saint garnet would not have us fay, To day or to morrow ^e Vcill j^j^„, ^oe intojtich a citie, and there buy and fell : but he addeth, for that tfhlch yeHJhouldfay , if the Lord will, axdifvee live, we will d^te thii 4)r that. And ion, andfo became enemies to all good, and to all the faithfull,&c. Now touching man , the Spirit faith, that in the beginning he was created good according to the image y aud likenejfe of God, that God placed him in Paradiie and made all things fubjed unto him: which David doth mod nobly fet forth in the 8. PfaL Moreover God gave unto him a wife, and blcffed them. We fay alfo, that man doth confift of two and thofe divers fubftances in one perfon, of aibulc immortall(as that which being fcparated from his bod)-, , doth 5 of God, and the creation of the World. 5-5' e ^ere dead hy fns , qu!ck£nedm together in C hrifi, Againe, As by arte man Jin entredinto the World, and by fin death^and R.cm.f , fo death went overall men, for m much as all men havefnned^s in their minde s ^ and verite them in their hearts. The Ezecbjri Lord alfo faith in the Gofpel. If the Son mA\i^ joh free jthttt are -jou free indeed, Paul alio to the Philippians , Vntgjott it is given, for lo'.n 7, Chri^ 6z Th^fQurthSe^iion. ■ P!) ii. I , Chrifi r.ot ontlj to heleeve m f^lfn, k^t alfo tofjtfferfcr hiif^k^. Ami r.i li a, ai^ain, / nm pcrfwaded that he that begAn thi.igoodw.orke iv yoti,^nll perform it until/ the day of the Lordlejtu : Allo,/r &f Godtio^t ^ork^ eth iHjou the Vpili and the deed. Wi;iere neverthelcfle we tcach,tbat there are two things to be obrsrved: Firft,that the regenerate, m the choice and working qPtbat which is good, do not onely work paffivelyibut adively. For they arc mcoved of God , that them- fclves may dothat which they do. And Attgufiine doth.truly al- leadge that laying, that God is [aid to be car helper. For no man can he helped, but he^that doth fomewhat. TheManicheesdidbereevc man of all adion, and made him like a ftone and a block. Secondly , that in the regenerate there rcmaineth infirraitic For Teeing that fin dvvelleth in us, and that flelli in the regenerate ftrivcth againft the lpirit,even to our lives end, they do not readily perfbrme in every point that which they had purpofed. Thefe things are confirmed by the Apoftle, Rom.j. Gal. 5. Therefore, our {ree-wiUis wcake, byrealonof the reliquesof the old dd-tm Fcmaining in us To long as we live, and of the humane corruption, which fo neerely Cleaveth to them. J n the meane while becaufe that theftrength of the fielli and reliques of the old man are not of fuch great force that they can wholly quench the work of the Ipi- rit, therefore the faithfull are called free, yet fo, that they doe ac- knowledge their infirmitie, and gbry no whit at all of their free- will, tor that which S. Augftftine doth repeat fo often out of the •Apoftle, ought alwaies to be kept in minde by the faithfull : ivhat ihdfi thoffjthat thou hafl not r. ceived^andifthou haft received it,Vi>hy . doeft thou boa^yOS though thou hadft not received i: ? Hitherto may be added, that that commethnot ftraight waytopalle, which we have purpofed. For the events of things are in the hand of Hom.i.iQ- God. I or which caufe P aula's efought the Lordthut he would yro- Jjjcr hii tourney. Wherefore in this rcfpedl al(b free-will is very weak. But in outward things no man denieth but that both the regenerate and unregenerate have their free- wil. For man bath this conftitution common with ether creatures (to whom he is notinferiour) to will tome things, and to nill other things. So he - may ipeake, or4(eep (ilence, go out of his houle or abide within. , 'iAithough herein alio Gods power is evermore to be marked, L>iS-i'.* whiehbrought topa^e that ^^^«^»«- could not go fo farreashc ^yould^ mdtk^tZach^irioi coming out of the Temple, could not ipsak as^hc would 'havcc done- In this matter we condemn the Manichees, of ftn andof Free-fvilL ' -^ 6 ? Maniclices' who deny, that the beginning ofevit! untcmaivbeing good J came from his free-will. We condemn alfo the Pv-lagians, whoaffirme that an cviil man hath frcc'vvill liiificiently toper- forme a good precept. Both thefc are confuted by tht Scripture, whi.h faith to the former, godni'tukm^in ftprigh^^znd to the latter, Jfthe Son wake jou free, then urejoHJireeincled. Out of thefoYTmr Coyfejfion o/ Helvetia. MAN being the moftpci^fe<5t Image of God in earth, and liaving the Chietdome ot all vifible creatures , confifting of foul and body, whereof this is mortall , that immortall , after he was made holy of the Lord , he by his owne fault falling into fin, drew whole mankinde with him into the fame fall, and made him fub/ecl to the fame calamitie. And this infedion, which men tearmc Originally hath fo inva- ■ink. 8. ^di the whole ftocke, that the childe of wrath and the enemie of God, can by none other , then by the divine help of Clirill, be cu- red. Foriftherebeany fparke of good fruit remaining here, it being weakned daily by our fins , decUneth to the worfe. For the force of evill doth get the upp.r hand , neither doth it fuffer reafon to beare the fway, nor the inoft divine facuitie of the minde to have the preheminence. Whereupon we do fo attrioute free-will to man, as that know- Artie 9. ing and having a will to do good and evill, we finde notwithftand- ing by experience , that of our own accord we may do evill, but *^'""* *' wc can neither imbrace nor follow any good thing, except, bemg illuminated by the grace of Chrift, we be ftirred up and cffedually mooved thereunto. For Gea ii he "^hich ^'ork^th In hs both to ^ilt, andtohringt9faj[e,Accordingtohisgood^ilL Andy Salivation ii ^ ' ^' of the Lord, defru ^ion of our f elves. Out of the Confeffionof B A s I L i.* Artie. 2. Of man, G^.^al»d>^ 'XT'V^Econfcfleibatinthc beginning man was made of God, ii"^. ?. in righteoufncire and true holinefle , after the true Image • ^'""' ' ^* of God : but he fell into fin of his own accord , by the which fall ^^'^^* ^' ^^ g whole mankinde is made corrupt and iub;ed unto damnation. loh.j.' HeiKe it is that our nature is defiled , and become foptone unto Rom. j> fin^ ^4 The fourth Se5lioff. P fal. i 4 3 . fin, that except it be rcnued by tlic holy Gholl, \tm of hiinfelf cat? Ejjhtf. 1. neither do, nor will any good. Out of the Confejfionofl^ o nt u i Ky orthe .Wa L%©£,.N s e s. Of the knowledge of a mmsfelf Alfo, of fm^ the cAufes and frtiits thereof and of the promife of God* Chap. 4. ' ■ -._ , ^ , : FOnrthly, touching the knowledge of himfelf, vmn is taught, and that after two forts. Firft the knowledge of his eRate, yet being in his innocencie , or voyd of ail fault, that is, of his nature Gen. I. being pcrfed, from whence he fell : Secondly, the knowledge of his fin and mortalitie, into which he fell. The eftate and condition of his innocencie and righteoufnefic confifteth in thefe points : that the Lord in the beginning made man afterhis own Image and likenefle, and adorned him with the gifts of his grace or 'bountie : that he engrafi'ed in him righteoufnefle and his fpirit, a foul and a body, together with all the faculties and powers there- of, and fo made him holy, juft, wife, immortall, and a mod pleafant temple for his heavenly (pirit, in the mind, will, memo- ry, and Judgement, and beftowed upon himcleare light of un- derftanding, integritie, and a very ordinate or lawful! love to- wards God and ail his creatures : alfo a full and abfo ute obeJi- V.ccXi r. • 7. ence , or babilitie to obey God , the true feare of God , and a fin- E.hcl. I . , cere heart and nature, that man might be his own poflelTion, and his proper and pecuhar workmanllrip , created unto the praife of his glorious grace Maiibeingplace^din thiseftatc had left unto him free-will, fothatif he would,he was able to ful till that com- mandement which God gave him, and thereby to retaihe rigl:- teoufnclfe both for himfelfe and for all his pofteritie after him, EccUr I u ^"^ every way lacnjoy a fpirit ,'.fpule y body , and an elbte moll blclTed ; and further alfo to make a way unto a farre more excel- lent glory , by confidering that fire and v^^ater , life and death, were fet before him. : which if he would not confider , nor doc his endeavour therein , by chcofing of evill j he might loofe all xhofe good gifts. /. :..: ........ ' ; , ; r The fccond ,part\df ilac: knowledge of.amans fclfc ( namely . 'A '.belorc j'aftificatiQa) fbuidethinibis.,. that a. man acknowledge aright ef finne and free wiR^ 6g a right the ftate of thisfall,{in,ar[d mortalities^ that free libcrtyf. of choice which God permitted to the will of nian,he abufed and kept not the law oi his jufticeibut fvverved therefrom, and there^ in tranfgrefTed the commandementof Ck)d, infomuchas.heo»' beyed the devill and tfaofe lying fpeeches of his, and gave- credit unto them,and performed to the devill fijch faith and obedience as was due to God alone : v\'hereby he ftripped and bereaved hinir felfe and his pofteritie of the ftate of perfcdion and goodnefle of natur^e : and the grace of God, and thofe good gifts of /uftice, and the Image of God, which in his creation were engraffed in bim, he partly loft them, and partly, corrupted and defiled them, as if with horrible poyfon one lliould.corrupt pure wine, and by this jncaneshe caft headlong both himfelfe and ali his off-fpring into linne, death, and all kinde of mifcries in this life, and into punifli* ments eternall after this life. Wherefore the fpring and principall author of all cvill is that crucUand deteffable devill, the tempt£r,lyer, and manflayer : aad next the free will of man, which notwirhflanding being conver- ted to evilJ,through luft and naughtie defires and by pcrverfs con- cupifcencc, chooleth that which is evill. Hereby, finnes according to thefe degrees and after this order may be confidered and judged of. The firfl: and weightiefl: or moft grievous finne of all W2S without doubt after that imnzoi Adam^ Avhich the Apoftle calleth D i [obedience Sor the which death reign- „ cth over all,evcn over thofe alfo, which have not finned with like "tranfgreflion as did Adam. A feccnd kind is originall fin, naturally ingendred in us and hereditarie,wherein we are all conceived and borne into this world. Beho/d, faith David, IV^at hertie in iniqui- pfal.5 1. tie, and in Jinne hath mj mother conceivedme. And/***»/, fflf^rff Ephcf.z.' hy nature the children of wrath. Let the force of this hereditaria deftiudtion be acknowledged & judged of by the guilt and fault, by our proncnc0e and declination, by our evill nature, and by the punillunent which is laid upon it. The third kinde of (innes arc thofe which are called AcluaH^ which are the fruits of Griginall iinne, and doe burft out within, without ,privily and openly , by the powers of man, that is, by all that ever man is able to doe, and by his members, tranfgreiiing all thofe things which God com- mandcth and forbiddeth, and alfo running into blindncfle and er- • rours worthy to be punifhed with all kinde ci damnation. This dedlrine of the trueinowiedge of finne, is of cur nicn dihgcot- E ly 66 T he fotirth Section. ofthefdllofMan, \y handled and urged : and to this end were the firft and fecond Tables of the Law delivered to UVtofes of Qod , that men efpe- cially might know thcmfelves, that they are conceived and borne in fin , and that forthwith , even from their birth , and by nature, they are finners, full of lufls, and evill inclinations. Vor hereof it commeth, that ftraight even from the beginninf» of our age, and fb forth in the whole courfc of air lif-e, being Rain- ed and overcome with many fins, men doc in heart, thoughts,an*t evill deeds breake and tranfgrcffe the commandemenrs oi Go.-', a^ Pfal .14. it is written. The Lord looked do\\>» from heaven to 'behold the chil- Rom. J. dnn of men, to fee if there were any that '^ouldundrrfand, andfeeke God: all are gone out of the^ay , they have been made altogether un^rof table y there u none that doth good , no not one. Andagaine, ^ ^ ^ fVhen the Lord fa"^ that the '^k^dne^e of mun Wrath as 'Bellas others. Here withall this is alfo taught,that by reafon of that corruption and depravation common to all mankinde , and for the theiinn ; * rile of JiHne and fret mil, ^7 ■*n(cagainc, or recover that fall, neither to this day, without * Loofce the the merciful! help of God, isitablc todoe any thing at all. ex^i^^^ccond obf«r- Mlittle after, Neither can he which is man onely, andhathno-^^^%'"jf°" ^^** thing above tlie reach of this ournature, helpe an other in this ^ point. For fince that original! fin proceeding by inheritance pof- ieflcth the wliole nature , and doth furioufly rage therein, and feeing that all men are finners, and doe want the grace and / ufticc Rom. 5 . of God J therefore iaith God by the mouth of the Prophet Efaias, Pfttmein rememhance ^ Litui be ]ud^ed together , count thou if ECi.i^. thouhAve anjthittg that thou may ej} beiujlifed: thj frfi father hath finned, and thji imerfreters (tliatis, they which teach theft juftice) havetranfgrefedagaifffime,2nd2i\itt\cbefote, fpeaking of works in the ferviceot God after the invention ©f man, he faith : Thou haft not offered unto mc the Ram of the burnt offer- ings^ neithtr haft thsH honoured me Voith thy facrifices : I have not caufedthee tefervenith an offering , nor "Wearied theeWithincenfe. And unto the Hebrews it is written : Sacrifice, andofering^ and Heb lo. burnt offerings ^ and fnne offerings thou weuldeftnot have. Nei- ther diddeft thou apprcove thofe things , which were ofiered ac- cording to the Law. ; .; : . i. This alfo muft we know, that the Lord God for fin doth per- mit and bring all kiads o£ afflidions, miferies, and vexations of minde in this life, upon all men, fuch as are heate , cold, hunger, thirft, care, and anguidi, fore labours, calamitie,adverfitic, dolefiiH time5,fwordjfire, difcafcs, griefs, and at the laft alfo that intollera- ble and bitter death, whereby nature is overthrowne, as it is \Nnt.- tcUfTheuJhalt diethe d^dth. KgdXUjCurfed is the earth for thy fake, Gen.t, Snforrewfhalt thou eate of it aH the dates of thy /ife-j thornes alfo and ^tn. j . thiftles fhallit bring forth to thee. And yet it is taught, that men muft and ought to bear all thefe punil"hments patiently, feeing that . they owe unto God,and have deferved a farre more cruel! punifli- ment. Yet they muft not be fo perfwaded as though they deferved ..any thing by fufiering thispunifhmcntjor lliould receive fromGod any grace or reward in recompenfc for the merit of thefe punifh- inents, feeing that Paul fpeaking of a much more worthy crofTc . and fufierings w'^'^ the true bcleevers take upon thsm for Chrifts , fake, faith^ that they be not comparable to the glory , which /haU be Jhe^^eduMto us : And thefe punifhmcnts are layed upon us,and are patiently to be borne , that we may acknowledge the greatnefle of our fm and how grievous a thing it is,and there withall our own ^t a weak' «f T he fourth SeBf en» ofthefdlhfMan, wcakncflfc , needs, and miferie, and that by experieilce \ve may !a ftaine (preading it felf by '-propagationjand not by imitation cnelvi as the Pe-lagians thought, all whofe errors wc doc detcft. Neither doe we thinke it necef- ' pay to fcarchjhwthis fin may be derived from one unto another. ^.^;i '■' < for Artie. 9. of the fall of mm, offmne, md dffree mB, ^<) "For it Is fufficient that thofe things which God gave Mnii^Adum^ were not given to him a' one, but alio to all his pofteritie : and therefore we in his perfon being deprived of all thofe good gifts, arc fallen into all this miferic and curfe. We beleeve that this ftaine is indeed finne, becaiife thai it ma- ^(tic^ 1 1. keth all and every man ( notfo much as thole little ones excepted^ which as yet lie hid in their Mothers wombe} guiltie of eternall death before God. We alfo affirme, thdt this ftaine , even af- ter baptilme, is in nature finne, as concerning the fault : ho wbeit they which arc the children of God, (hall not therefore be con- demned, becaufe that God of his gracious free goodneffe and mercy, doth not impute it to them. Moreover we lay, that this frQwardnelTe of nature doth alwaies bring forth fome fruits of ma- lice and rebcllion,in fuch fort, that even they which are raoft holy, although they relift it, yet are they defiled with many infirmities and offences, fo long as they live in this world. Out of the English Confejfion. T 7 1: ?^ E fay alfo, that every perfon is borne in finne, and lead- Anic. »8. V V cth his lile in finne : that no body is able truly to fay ,Ha^ heart is cUane. That the mod righteous pcrlon is but an uyiprofiU' hlefervant : That the Law of <^od isperfed', and requireth of us, perfedjand full Obedience : That we are able by no meanes to fulfil that Law in this worldly lifc,that there is no mortal creature, which can be jultified by his own delerts in Gods fight. . > Out of the (^onfejpoft of ^ E L G I A, '\7"\7'E heleeve that God of the flime of the earth created man, / -^nic. 1 4. after his Image, that is to lay,good,juft,and holy, who had ^ "•»-^'^- power by his owne free will, to frame and conforme his will unto £pn"'4-J4- the will of God. But when he was advanced to honour he knew not, neither did he well underftand his excellent ftate, but wit- tingly and willingly did make himfelfe fubjed: to finne, and lb Gen. 3.17, confequently unto eternall death and maledidion, whileft that giving earc to the words and fubtiltiesofthe devill, he did tranf- greflethat commandment of life, which he had received of the Lord, and fo did withdraw and alienate himfelfe from God (his true life) hisnature being altogether defiled and corrupted by fin, Rom. 5. 1». whereby it came to palTc; that he made himfelfe fubj'ed both to E 3 corporall fo The fourth Se^m. OfthefaEofman, • corporall and to Ipirituall death. Wherefore being made wicked, and pcrverfe, and alfo corrupt in all his waycs and endeavours, he loft thofe excellent gifts wherewith the Lord had adorned him, fo that there were but a few little fparkes and fmall fteps of thofe graceslcftin him, the which notwithftanding are liilScicnt to Aa$ 14. 1 6. leave men without excule bccaufe that what light toever we Rom.i.to^zi have, is turned into palpable darkeneffc, even as the Scripture it j<- • i' •$' ^gjfg teacheth, faying, The light fhinedin d-Arkene^e, and the d^rk^ nef[e comprehended it not : For there John doth manifeftly call men ■* Lock the I. darkeneflc. Therefore * whatfoever things are taught, as touch- ■obferv. upon ingmans free will, we dos worthily re/edl them, feeing that ihis ConfclTi- man is the fervant of finne, r either can he doe any thing of h'mjeife. Job.? 27 bftt 06 it M given him from heaven: For who is lo bold as to braggc that he is able to performe whatibevtr he lilreth, when as Cbrilfc Joh,5, 44. himfelfe faith. No man can come unto me^ except mj Father^ W'hich hathfmtme^ doe draw him ? Who dare boaft ot his will, which Rom. 8. heareth, that All the ajftHlons oftheflepj are enemies again[i God ? 1 Cor. 1. 1 4. Who will vaunt of his undcrftanding, which kno weti^, that The naturallman cannot ferceive the things ofthcjpirit: of God? To con- clude, who is he that dare bring forth any one cogitation of his ^ owne, which undcrftandeth this, that we are not ^i;U of our ''*^' felves to thinke any thing^huX That we arefuffic'ent, it id altogether of God ? Therefore that laying of the Apoftle muft needs re maine pi firmeandfteadfaft, ItisGod\'vhich Vcerkethinui hothtorvi/l, a»d to doe, even ofhiigoed^leafure. For no mans minde, no mans will is able to reft in the will of God, wherein Chrift himfelfe hath wrought nothing before. The which alfo he doth teach us, faying, 3 oh. X J. y • without me ye can doe nothing. We beleeve, that through the difobedience of zAdumy the fin. Ante, I J. ^^^ -^ called Origmall, hath been fpred and po wred into all man» kinde. Now OriglnaH ^xnvitt is a corruption ofthe whole nature, PP , and an hercditarie evill, wherewith even the very infants in their R TO.V." Mothers wombe are polluted: the which alfo as a moft noyfome Gui, 6. roote doth branch out moft abundantly all kinde of finne in man, Joh. I, and is fo filthy and abominable in the fight of God, that it alone Rom. 5. J5 fufficient to the condemnation of all man-kinde. Neither are. ^P^' *• we to beleeve that this finne is by baptifme utterly cxtinguifiied or plucked up by the rootes, feeing that out of it, as out of a cor- rupt fountaine, continuall fiouds and rivers of iniquitie doe daily ipringandflow * how be it to the children of God it doth not tend,. of (In^dndof fret-mH, 71 tend, neither is it imputed to condemnationj but of the meere fa- vour and mercy ofGod it is remitted unto them, not to this end, that they trufring unto this remilTionfhould be recked a fleepein fecurity, but that it may ftirre up often fighes in the faithfull by the fenfc and feeling of this corruption, and that they fhould fomc- what the more earncftly defire. To be delivered from this body of Rem. 7. 1 8. a / death. Therefore we doe condsmne the errourof the Pelagians^ which affirme, that this Originull linne is nothing elfe but a ccr- taine kinde of imitation- Ont of the (^cnfeffion of K u $ P u R G E . ALfo they that te-ach that after the fall Q{d ncc-eiTariiy miilike thefe dreames t for they doe obfciire the benefits of Chrift. Fcm: therefore is Chrift the Mediatour fct forth, and mercy promifed 1tilheGo(peI,bec3ufe that the Law cannot be fatisfiedby mans nature, as P^^^/wirnefleth, when he faith, /?o»2 8. The wifedowe ofthejiefi) ii enmitie aga'mfi God. For it is notfubie^ to the Lci^ of Cjoi^neither indeedcjin be. For albeit that mans nature by it (eUe can after fome fort * performe extcrnall workcs (for it can con- * Lookethe taine the hands from theft and murder) yet can it not make thofe ^ • «-ftrvar. inward miotio.is, as true feare, true faith, patience, and chaftitie ^^^"-^ '^'^'^ ^^^" unleflc the holy Ghoft doe governe and helpe our hearts. And yet in this place alio doe wc teach, that it isalfo the command:inent ofGod, that the carnall motions lliould be rcftrained by thein- duftrie ofreafon and by civil! difcipline, as PWfaith, The U^ is fchoolemAJler to (^hrift : Alfo, The Uvc is given to the uniufi], Thefe thirty f are thm found in another edition. As touching free will they teach, that mans will hath fome Artie. iZ, liber tic to worke a civill /uftice, and to chufe fiich tilings as reafon can reach unto. But that it hath no power to worke the righteouf- neffe of God, or a fpirituall juftice, without the fpirit of God: Becaufe that the natura.ll man perceiveth not the things that arc of thejpirit of God. But this power is wrought in the heart, when a$ men doe receive the fpirit of God through the word. Thefe things are in as many words affirmed by Saint ^ugufiine^ Lib. 3. Hypognoft: c^c. as before . 7 hey condemne the Pelagians , and o- thers, who teach, that onely by the power of nature, without the Spirit of God, we are able to love God above all, alfo to performe -the commandemcnts of God, as touching the fubftance of our adions. For although that nature be able in fome fort to doe the externall workes (for it is able to withhold the hands from theft and murder^ yet it cannot work the inward motions, as the feare of God, truft m God, chad itic, patience» Touching the cade of finne, they teach, that albeit God dorh create 74 The fourth SeBm, Of mans fall. create and prcferve nature, yet the caufc of finne is the will of the wicked, to wit, of the DevUl, and of ungodly men, which tumeth it felfe from God unto other things, againft the commandements of Cod : ^hen hejpeaketh a lici hejpeaketh of bis oypne, Thii is found thm in an other edition. Touching the caufe of finnc, they teach, that albeit God doth create and preferve our nature , yet the caufe of finne is thg will of the wicked , to wit, of the Devill , and of ungodly men ; which will being deftitute of Gods helpe, tumeth it felfe from G od, as Chrift iaith , loan. 8. ^ hen hejpeaketh a lie^ he [peaketh of his owfte. Out of the (fonfeffion ofSwoiiY» \ Nd feeing the controverfies, which are fprnng up,doe chicf- .ti ly pertaine unto two articles of the Creed, namely to the article, IbeUeve the rem'iffion offnnes,zn^. I heleeve the Catholike Cf-urch, we will fliew the fountaines of thefe controverfies, which being well weighed, men may eafily underftand, that our expofitions are the very voyce of the Gofpel, and that our adver- l;irics -have fowed corruptions in the Church. And firft of the /rticb. / helteve the remijfion offtnnes, HFre many and great corruptions aredevifed of our adverfa- ries. Z^^/e^z'^, nay, fay they, Idoubt;alfo, Then I willbe- leeve, when I fliall have merits enow. Alfo, they doe not fay, I beleeve certainely that remiiTion \s given freely for the Sonne of God, not for any merits of ours, or any worthinelTe of ours. Alfo, They doe not rightly Ills w what finne is, and feigne that m:inis able to fatisfie the Law of God, and that by the fulhllingofthe Law, he becommcth juft before God, in this life. Therefore firft, as touching finne, and the caufe thereof, we doe faithfully retaine the dodlrine of the true Church of God. Seeing that God in ef^ fence is one, the eternall Father, the coeternall Sonne, being the image of the Father, and the coeternall holy Ghoft, proceeding from the Father and -the Sonne, of infinite wifedome, power, and goodnefie, true,ju'l:,bountiful!, chafte, moft free, as he defcribeth himfelfe in his Li\v j and feeing he hath therefore made the An- gels of fin and of free-mil. 7^ gels and men, that being from all etemitie he might impart unto them his lighr, wi-edome,and goodnefTe, and that they fliould b,2 the temples of God, wherein God might dwell, that God might be ail in ali,as Paul fpeaketh : be therefore created them at the be- ginning good and jiift, that \s^ agreeing with the minde and will c^God, and pleafing him. He alio gave them a cleere knowledge of God,and of his wi!l,that they might underftand that they were made of God, that they might be obedient, as it is written in the MthPfa/we: ThoH^rt'notaGodthat loveth^kkednejfe. But the devils and men abufed the libertie of their will, fwarved from God , and by this difobedience they were made fubjed to the wrath of Cod, and lofl: that uprightneire , wherein they were created. Therefore free will in the devilland in men was the caufe ofthatfall,notthc willof God, who neither willeth (inne, norallowcthit,norfurderethit, as it is written, fVhen tbeDevill fheakfih a He, he jpeaketh of hn o^'ne, andhe is the father of lying. And I ^ohn 5. He that committethjinne, is of the devill, becaufe the deviH fmrnth fom the beginning. l\o\v linnejis that, whatlbevcr is contrary to the juftice ot God, which is an order in the minde of God (which he did afterward manifelt by his own voi ce in the Law and in theCofpel) whether it be orig'inall difobedience, or aduallj for the which the perlcn is bothguiltie, and condemned with everlafting punilliment, except he obtaine remiHion in this life, for the Sonne the Mediatoursfake. We doe alfo condemns the madncfl'e of AL-.rclon^ the Aianicheesy and luch like, which. are repugnant in this whole queftion to the trucconfentofthe Church of God» Of Originall Jinne. jlrtic. 2. AS touching originall finne, wedoeplainelyaffirme, thatwc doe retainc the confent of the true Church of God, delivered unto us from the firft Fathers, Prophets, Apoftles and the Apo- ftles fchoUers, even unto Augufiine, and after his time : and wc doe exprefly condemne Pe/agii^, znd allthofe who have fcattered in the Church like doting follies to thofe of the Pelagians. And we fay, that all men, fince the fall of our firfl parents, which are borne by the coupling together ofmale and female, doe together with thcic birth bring with them Originall finne, asi*^»/faitbj jS The fourth Seciio»^ Rom . ^.Bji one wan finne eritredlKto the tvorld, atidb) ftrme death. And Ephef 2. We ^ere by nature the children of^rath Ai rvdl as o- tkers .^zither doe we diflikc that ufuall definition,ifit be wdiun- dcrftood J Originalljinne ii a vD^mt of Originalliuflke which ought tobeift m : Becaufe that Originall jullice was not onely an accep- tation ofmankinde before ^cJod, out in the very nature oFman a light in the minde, whereby he might afliiredly beleeve the word God : and a converfion oFthe will unto God, and an obedience of the b.eart agreeing with the judgement of the Law of Godjwhich : which was grafted in the minde ; and^ as we faid before, man was the temple of God, That Cr'tgmall ittfiice doth comprehend all thele things, it may be underltood by this faying. CManwascre- at ed after th'C Image and likencjfe of God , which Paul doth thus in- terpret, £phef. ^ . Pat ye on the neVQ man, which after God is created in right coi^fmjfe and true holinejfe, where undoubtedly by true ho-^ line iTe he uoderftandeth all thoievertues, .which Jliine in our na- ture, and are given by God, not afcited by art, or gotten by iaftru- dion (as now thole iLadowcs of vertues, fuch as they are in men, be afcited) becaufe that then God dwelling in man did gc- vernehim. And when we confider what Origimll iufiice doth- (ignifie, then the privation oppofite thereunto is leffe obfcure.' Therefore Originallfmne is,both for the fall ofour firft parents.and for the corruption which followed that fall, even in our birth to- be fubjed: to the wrath of God, and to be worthy of eternal dam-; nation , except we obtaine remilTion for the ^ediatours fake'.; And this corruption is, to want now the light or the prelence of God, which fnould have lliined in us : and it is an eftranging of our will from God, and the ftubbornnefle of the heart refiltmg the lawoftheminde,5S-P*««/fpeakethjand,tbat man is not the tem- ple of God, but a miferable Mafic, without God, and without juftic?. Thefe wants, and this whole corruption, we fay to bee iinne^inotoneiyapunillimentoffinne, and a thing indifferent, as many of the Sententiaries doe fay. That thefe evils creomly a.pu^_ Hi[hmsnt^ a/^datking indifferent^ butnot jinne. And they doc ex- tenuate this Original! cvill,andthen they fcigne that men may ia- tisiiethelawof Gtf And of fuch like fayings it is manif elt, that lome, who are regen - rate, doe grieve and * rhake off the holy Ghoft, and arc againe re» * ^?^*^'^* /eirlt : that is, ^-^tticw and Scipia doc bridle their corrupt affedions by reafon, but fofeph and Paul doe bridle them by.the fpirit, that is,by the motions of the ho/y Ghofl, by true griete,true faith, feare of God,and invocation.?^»/,' feeling in himielfe doubts and other vvandring motions , isfor- r.owh;ll,and by faith perfwaded, that this pollution is covered by- the Mediatour, and by the fearc of God doth ftay himfelfe, that he give no place to anger, or to other wandring motions ; and therewithall he dorb iavocate God, and dcfire his helpe, faying, O' Hord create in me a neW heart. When we doe after this fort with- ftand that corruption, which as yet remaineth in the regenerate, thefe evils are covered, and it is called linne that doth not reigne, or veniall finne, and the holy ghofii$ not lliaken of£ It is evident that this d'ottrinc concerning the difference of finnes, istrue,plaine,and necelTarie for the Church» And yet ma-^ ny know, what manner of intricate difputationsare to be found in the bookes of our ad verlarics touching the fame, &Co Having thus briefly declared the furameofthedodrine of juftification, wc {hould now alio declare and -confute the arguments, which aro objcd:ed againft this judgement of ours ; but becaufc divers men doe object divers things , we have onely recited our confelU-? on, and offer our felves to larger declarations in every membec oftheconfeilion. Out of the CotifeJflQn of WlRTEMBEP.GEi of Sinne, Ghap. 4. WE beleeve and confefTe that in the beginning man tvas created of God, jufl, wife, endued with firec will, a-» domed with the holy Ghoft, and happic : but after- Ward for bis difobedience he was deprived oi the holy Ghofl, and made 77 The fourth SeSiion. ofthtfaRofmin made the bondman oF Satan, and iubjeorld^and after the Prince^Crc. And a little after, TVe were iy nature the children ofVarath oi "Delias others. He (dkhyDead in fins, and, the children ofwrath^thal is,(lrangers from the grace of God. But as a man being corporally dead, is not able by his own ftrength to prepare or convert himlelfe to receive corporall life, (o hee which is fpiritually dead is not able by his owne power to convert himlelfe, to receive fpirituall life. dAnmfiine {shh , The Lord ^ Tom 7 '^*^^^ that he might anfwir Pelagius to cor/te, doth noth not fay, without m: ed ^Borifd mm J^ ^^^ hardly do any thing^hut he faith, with cut me ye can d^ nothing. hb,x. cap, 8. ^yfnd that he might aljo anfwer thefe mt n that '^cre to come, in the very fame fentevtce of the Gojpel, he doth not fay, without msye can not perjit, hut without me ye can not doe any thing. Tor if he hadfuid, ye cannot perftj then thefe men might fay ^ we have need of the htlp of Godj not toheginto doe good, for we have th^t of our felves , but t^ ferfit it. And a little after, The preparation of the heart is in mxn, but the anfwer of the tongue is of the Lord. Alen not WeQ under- fianding thu, are deceived, thinkjng that it appertaineth to man to prepare the heart, that is, to begin any good thing W'ithout the he/pe ofthegyoce of God. B»t farre be it from the children of prcmifefo to undeyfiandtt, as when they heard the Lor A faying, without me ye can doe ^fiihing, they Pnulda^ it wire reprove him, and fay. Behold, without the^^e-areabk to prepare our he-arts, or when' they he are Paul ty /jpofile faying. Not that we are ft to thinke any thir.g^as of cur f elveS , they fjouldalfo reprot/e-htm and fay. Behold, we are fit te of our ft Ives J to prepare our hearts, andfo conjcq^ently to thinly fome tom.^ inlo. gtod thing. And again;, Let no r/tan deceive himjelfe : it is oj his trail. ^g. owne^that he u Satan, it is of God, that he 9S happy. For what is that,ofhusrewhe, butdfhiifinne ? t^t^ aw.y f^me,ivhich is thy o'^n, axdrightecufne^ie^f^iph'htjisofme. For what hnfithou, that thou hafimtftceivied^^fnbrofeUiin, A Ithottgh it ivi»mtOf,to'will . . a that TheffthSe^lion. OfeteymSPredefiination, ^ that^ichiieviHjjethehuthnotfo^^ry t.owUtkat vH<:kkp^Ai Deinvo^at.-ger,t. fjccept it heghenhim. JS er^/trd fgiith. If humane nature^ -t^enifli.c.g Hm.x, tfOi pirfeft, could not fia»d, hoVe mf*eh U£c u ^ ahU ojirfe^e tit iftf bAthchoftnusinhiitf, (hAt^eJhsifid Ephef.1.4; i^ F be «2 f he fifths eefi&n, ■ ,\t»^;t .i.n^ . \vr>*-: -l^c ite^tj, dndmthoftt hl.ifte bt-fore htm through tuve,^ 1^ ho Qth pre- .1 .'wiH "•■^•»^- ^'^JfittatedHS fo b€adi>pttdthroHgh leftu Chrtfi mt& hi^feife, for 'Jl-r~-^\\rA '^'^^f^^'f^ ^f^i^g^'>^*^^^'g'^'^<^' jf^nd although Goiliknoweth who are his, and no ;v and then mention is made of jhc Imallniimber ofihecled, yet we mud hope well of all, and not riiilily jud^^e PhiLi.j.&r. any man to be a reprobate: for -P<:i^/ faith, to the Phili^pansj I thunkemj Cod for you all (Now he (peaketh of the whole Chu-ch Q^tht Philipfians^ that yen are come wto the fellorppnT) oftheGo- Jpf/^a/jd lamperf^adedy that he ihat hath b ganihi^i war ks ^nyofi^ ^i II perfornie ity as it beeomTrjethmetoifidgeofjctfi'alL Andvvhen the Lord was demanded, whether there vvcrc|-e\v that Oiould be favcd? he dothnot.aDfvver and tell theavhat few ormore lliould Luke 11, be laved, or dainned,-bnt rather he-exhortetWewry man>to Strhe to enter in at theflreight gate. As if he lliould faj, it is not for you ralWy to enquire of theie matters but nther to endeavour that you may enter into hfaven, by the ftreighr wzy. Wherefore wc doe not allow of the wicked Ipeechesof (ova^, who (ay, Few are choien, and feeing I know not whether'"! am 'in the number of thole few, I will not defraud my nature of her defires. Others there are which %, Iflbepredellinate and chofcn of Go ^, no- thing can hinder me from fakationj which is already certaincly appointed for me, whatloever . doz at any time. But if I be in the number of the reprobate, no faith or repentance will helpe me, feeing the decree ofGod cannot be changed. Th -refore all teachings and admonitions sre to no purpofe. iVow agairi'l- thefe 1 Tim.» 24 me"' '^he faying of the Apoftle maketh much. The fervants of & c. Godmnfl be apt to teach, inflrn^ing them that are contrary minded, provirtT if God at any time '^ill give them repentance that they may ■come to amendmennt out of the fnare of the dcjili, which are Uh. dzhno taken of him at hn pleafure. Belide e^/^f:(///?i>«^, alio teachetb, fcrfc-veranuuch ^ o|ie right motiofljaffedion, or thought, till God doc freely "ipfclvSHt &S,arid fadiion ils to uprightnefle. Out of the ConfejfiuHof Zt. L G i a. XT' V7 E beleeve that God (after that the whole. off- fpring of ^ ft/^<:i«w was cafl: headlong into perdition and dellruiflion, through the default of the firft man) hath declared and fliewed himfelfe to be liich a one, as he is indeed, namely, both mercifull and jiifl:. Mercifull by delivering arid favingthofc from condem- nation arid fh3m death, whom in hiseternallcounfdl, of hisownc free goodhcffe, he hath choferi in lefus C hrift our Lord, without any regard at all of their Workes : but luO, in leaving othct's in that their fall and perdition, whereinto they had throwne them- felves headlong. Omsfth Cx}nftjfion fj/AuspuRGfi. THc Confeflionof hui^urg^ doth fo mention fredefiin4tion in the 20. zy^ttiv/hj^i titk Areoff*-, Defide, Of fait h^ that it fiffirmeth it to be a needle ^e thiug^ to dijpptte of fredejiinaticn in the doBrine fffiuftifcation bj faith. fVhich in what fort it may be faid^ ^ have declared in the 6. Obfervntion in thii Confejft^n^feSi, p. rvhere thefe Vcords of the ConfeJJiifn xre rehear fed, Alfothc S A:}«)N CONT'l^'ES S lOK Doth in the fame fenfe^ by the way ma^e rnention ofPredeflin.ition ani EleBion, about J^tendofthe ihtrdt^nkk.wfxre it ti^e.iteth -of faith, which part Vfe Mve thehfmtlHCtdinthj p , SeWon. -o'l vf;.' iimhh/ , ■ T H E ;io. .. rhoLi:. ihid V r. I'Jp.uo'j omviiJiciu JEdi oj ^jy. hiooy. , oouotM : O.I r 1 8y THE SIXTH SECTION. OF THE REPAIRING OR Deliverance of Man from his Fall, by Icfus Chrifl: alone : and of his Pcfron, NatureSi Ojfice,andthe^orkss of Redemption. Th former Confejfton o/ Helvetia. Of Jifta Chrifiy being true God and mm^ ^nd the onelj SAiiioHT of the World. Chap. ii. iCreover wc beleeve and teach, that the Sonne c^ God, our Lord lefus Chrifl:, was from all ctcrnitic predeftinatcd and fore-ordained of the Father to be the Saviour of the world. And we beleeve that he was begotten, not onely then, whenhetooke flefh of the Virgin cIy and eternal! Saviour of * mankinde, I. Obfcrva- yca and of the whole world, in whom are faved by faith a!! that c- tion on this ver wercfaved before the Law, under the Law, and in the time ConftfTion, of the Goipcl, and i'o many as Chall yet be faved to the end of the world. For the Lord himielfc in the Gofpel faith. He thatentereth not his perfo», vatures, office^ ^c. j^ not in by the doore unto the Jheeffold^ bnt cUmeth up att other rvay, he j t, j ^^ ii a thiefe and a robher. lam the doore of thef-.ecfe. And sUo in an- other place of the fame Gcfpel he faith , Ahrahamfdve my daies^ jo^n 8. avdreiojced And the Apo'^le Peterhnh^ Neiihtr ts there fdvA- Acts 4. tioninany other ^ hut in Chrifl : for (imong m;n there i-sgiynno ^ other name under heaven '^.'hereby the) mght befuved. We bcleeve therefore that through th^- grace of our Lord Chrift we fnall be laved, even 3s our fathers were. For P/zW faith. That all our f a- ^ ^^ thers did eate the fame jpiriticall mcate^ tr:r,d dranke the fame ffiritu- all drinke , for they drunke of the '• irituallrockj, th^t follo'^'ea thim^ andthat rocke vras Chrifi. And therefore we reade that '}ohn faid, That Chriji vras that Lambe^hich Was fl due from the bej^ir.ning ^^ of the ^or Id. And that John Eaptid '.vitnefieth , Tk^j Chrifi ^ jo!,ni.'' that Lambe of God^that taketh a'^^y the ^nJ of the yv or Id. Where- fore we doe plainl) and openly profvlT? and preach , that fefus Chriftisthe only Redeemer and Sa . iour of the world, the King and high Prieft , the true and looked for Melfias, that holy and bkfTed one ( 1 fay ) whonn all the iliadows of the law , and the Prophefies of the Prophets did prefigure and promife , and that God did perfornae and fend him unto us , fo that now we arc not to looke for any other. And no^v there remaineth nothing, but that we all fhould give all glory to him^ beleeve in him, and rcfl: in him onely , contemning and rejecting all other aydes of our life. For they are fallen from the grace of C^od, and make Chrifi ofno value unto themfelvcs , whofoever they be that feeke falvation in any other things befides Chrift alone. And to fpeake many things in few words, with a flneere heart we beleeve, and with libertic of fpeech we freely profefl'e, what- foever things are defined out of the holy Scriptures, and compre- hended in the Creeds, and in the Decrees of thole foure firH: and moft excellent Councels holden at Nice^ Confiantinople, Ephefm,, and (fhaladon, together with blefled zyfthamfiui his Creed, 3n4 all other Creeds like to thefe , touching the myllerie of the Incar- nation of our Lord lefus Chrift : and we condemne all things con-i trary to the lame. And thus doe we retaine the Chriftian, found,, and Catholike faith, wholly and inviolaole, knowing that nothing is contained in the forefaid Creeds , w hich is not agreeable to the Word of God , and maketh wholly for the fincere declaration of iaith. Om 9® JhefixtSeCfisn. OfleftuChr'tft, Out of the former Confejfion }da little after towards the end of the f aid fourth Chapter. Together with this point, and after it, con- fidering that both the matter it fe'fe, and order of teaching fore- qiiireth , the Minifters of the Church teach us after our fall to ac- knowledge the promife of God, the true word of grace, and the holy Go( pell, brought to us from the privy counfeil of the holy Trinitie , concerning our Lord Chrift , and our whole falvation purchafed by him. Of thefe promifes there be three principall , wherein all the reft are contained . The firft was made in Paradife in thefe words, G ea 3 . / mil put enmitie bet vpeene thee and the rooman^ and bet weene thy feed ar.dher feed. He [hall breake thine head ^ and thou Jhalt bruife his A/f^"/^. The fccond was made to ^^r4^««w,which afterwards /«co^ alfoand Mofes did renew- The third to Z)4z//'<^, which the Pro- phets recited and expounded. In thefe promifes arc described and painted forth thofc mod excellent and principall works of aKlRg 7 I J. Chrift our Lord , which are the very ground- worke whereon our falvation ftandcth , by which he is our Mediatour and Saviour : Ffa .1 g I. 9 namely, his conception in the wombe of the Virgin Marj , and Ifu oil. ^^^ ^^'^^^ "^ ^'^ ^^^^' ^^ ^^ ^^^ made the feed of the woman : aUb his aftiidlions, his riling againe from death , his fitting at the right hand of God , where he hath obtained the dignitie of a Prieft and King : of which thing the whole life of David wasaccrtaine type, for which caufe the Lord calleth himielfe another Davidy Eph. J. 4. ^^^^ g Shepherd. And this was the Gofpeliof thofe holy men be- fore the Law was given , and fince. ji»d Chapter the 6. a little from the beginning, for this is very certaine , that after the fall of ^(^«noman wasabletofjt himielfe atlibertie out of the bon- dage of fin, death, and condemnation, or come to be truly recon- ciled unto God , but ouely by that one Mediatour betweene God Wi i man, Chrift 1 efus ( through a lively faith in him) w ho alone by his It or. ». Nis psrfo^^ natures, office, ^c, 93 his death, and blood-flicdding, tookc frc m as that image of (inns and death , and put iipn us by faith the image of ri^hteoufnellc and life. 7 or he made unto ta of God, wifdome, righteonfnej[(,l/; a f^oHtc, and wit hthe isolce of an ayfrchan qel,4nd with ^^ ^ the trumpet of God. And Saint Peter laith , fVhom heaven mufi cdk- M.U-. 1 5. tamc^ tir.tilltke time that all things he removed. And the Evangelift x^larke:: ^nt UV:? n the L.rd had. jpo.-en ^iththem , hereof ta^ ■ken up againeinto heaven , and fltteth fit the right hand of Godi And the Angels which were there prefent, when he was ta- Afts 1. ^gj-j yp jf^^Q heaven , laid. This lefm which is ta\?^n up from you into heaven , JhaMfo come aaaine , asjoH havefeent him gee ini- to heaven. Furthermore, this alio doe our men teach , that the felfe fame Chrid , very God and very man, is alio with us here in this world, but after a diverfe manner from that kinde of prefence which we named before, that is, after acertainelpirituall manner, notob- j ed to our eyes , but Inch a one as is hid from us , which the fielli doth not perceive , and yet it is very necefTary for us to our falva- tion, that we may be partakers of him , whereby he ofiereth and communicateth himfelfe unto us, that he may dwell in uSjand wc in him: and this truly he doth by the holy Gholl, whom in his own place (that is, in ftead of his own prefence, whereby he was bodily His pcrfon^nAtiircs, office^ ^c. 95- bodily ainono;ft us) heepromifed that he would f;.'nd unto his Church , and that he would ttill abide with it by the lame Ipirit in ivertue, grace, and his holeiome truth, at all times, even untill the end of the world , when he laid thus : It iigoodferjou that I gos .vi^uth-18. Itnce, for except I goe hence, the Comforter^ili not come nnto yon: [ohiiiS. bnt if J goe awaj y IV^'ill fend himunto jou. Andagainc, iV^illpray [^hw 14. the Father, end he Jhr.ll give pn another (^emforter, (that is, ano- ther kindc of comforter then I am ) that he may abide in jottfor C" tjer^even thejpirit of truths ^hom the '^^orldcannot receive^ because itfeeth him not, neither knoveth him : bfftye know him, for he d^e-U leth in yen, andJJjallbe inyoti, I \^-i/l not leave yon eomfortle^e, but I will come toyoM, namely, by the lelfe fame Ipirit of- truth. Now then even as our Lord C hrift by his latter kindc of pre- fence being not vilible, but fpirituall, is prelent in th ; iVunifters of the Church, in the Word, and in the Sacraments ; even fo all ^ by the ielfe lame Miniiters, Word, and Sacraments he is prcfcnt with his Church, a?id by thefc meancs doe the tlecl receive him through inward faith in their heart, and doe therefore joyn the^n- ielvcs together with him , that he may d .veil in them , and they in him , after fuch a fort, as is not apparant , but hidden from the world , even by that faith fpirituaily : that is to f^y , in their fouls ?nd hearts , by the fpiritof truth , of whom our Lord fjith, Jie abideth '^ithyott, andjhall be in you. And, ' will come ag.ime «»- ^ ^-^ 1 4. to you. This judgement and declaration of our faith,is not ne w,or nov^r firfl: dcvifed, but very ancient. Now that this was commonly taught and meant in the Church of old, it is plaine and evident by the Writings of the ancient irathers of the Church , and by that Decree , wherein it is thus written, and they arc the words of S^ ■jiuquftine : Oar Lord is above untill the end of the v. orld, bm the , ^ j^ -n^, /7 . truth of the Lord i4 here aljo : for the body of the Lord, wherein he rofe againe, mufi of meejfitte be in one place, but hii truth n differ- fed tvity where. (hit of the French (fonfeffion. WE beleeve , that whatf0e\er is requifite to our falvation, ^^'^'^'^ - 1 j. is offered and communicated unto us now at length in •that one lelus Chrift^ashc who being given to lave us,isallo«w4i^ jtntom mfdome, right€ouf»ejfc,fan^.Jicatiott, andredcmpion^ in lo much* ^6 Thejixth SeBion. Of lefmChrifl, much as whofocver doth fwarve from him, doth renounce the mcrcie of the Father, that is, our onely refuge. We beleeve that feius Chrift, being the wifdomc, and eternall Aiihs\^. Son of the Father, tooke upon him our nature, fo that he is one perlbn, God and man. Man, 1 lay, that might iiiffcr both infoule ' and alio in body, and made Ukennto Hi in aUthiagSyfm onelj except» ed, for that his tlelln was indeed the feed of Abraham and Davidy howbcit by the fecret and incomprehenfible power of the holy Ghoft , it was conceived in due time in the wombe of that blel^ fed Virgin. And therefore we deteft , as contrary to that truth, all thofe herefies wherwith the Churches were troubled in times pail: and namely, we deteft thofe deviUilh imaginations of J^/*^ 7 wc are guiltic, atxi from the which wc could not be acquitted by any other remcdie. Cm of the English (^onfejfion. \J\ T^ beleeve, that lefus Chrift the oncly Son of the ctcf- V V nail Father ( as long before it was determined before aU) ^^^*^' ** beginnings ) when the fblnefle of time was come,did take of that blcfled and pure Virgin, both flelli, and all the nature of man, that he might declare to the world the fecretand hid will of his Fa- ther : \\4iich will had been laid up from before all ages and gene- rations : and that he might finifh in his humane body the myftery of our redemption, and might faften our fins to the crofle, and aiJib' that hand- writing, which was made againft us. We beleeve that for cur fakes he died^and was buried, defcen- ded into hell,the third day, by the power ofhis Godhead,returncd to life and rofe againe , and that the tesjl^y after his refurredi- on, whiles his difciples beheld and looked upon him , he afcend- ed into heaven , to fulfill all things , and did place in Ma j eftie and glory the felfe fame body, wherewith he was borne, wherein he lived on earth, wherein he was jefted at, wherein he had fuffered mod painfull torments, andcrucll kinde of death, wherein be rofe againe, and wherein he alcended to the right hand of the Fa- ther, above all rule, above all power, all force, all Dominion, and above every name, that is named, not oneiy in this world, but alfo in the world to come : And that there he now fitteth , and iTiall fit ; till all things be fully perfec1:ed. And although the Ma/eftie, and Godhead of Chrift be every where aboundantly difperfed,yet we beleeve, that his body, as S. Angptfiine faith, wnft needs hefiill in one place : and that Chrift hath given Majeftie unto his body, but yet hath not taken away from it the nature of a body, and that wc muft not fo affirme Chrift to be God , that we denie him to be man: and as the Martyr VigUim faith. That Chrifi hath left w, touching his humane nature , bnt hath net left us , touching hit Di- vine nature : and that the lame Chrift , though he be ablcnt from us, concerning his manhead, yet is ever prefent with us, concern- ing his Godhead. From that place alfo we beleeve that Chrift lliali come again to execute that generall judgement , as wellof them whom he fliall finde alive in the body, as of them that liiall be ready dead. G And ^8- Tl/efixthSeBm. of lefm Chrif, Artie. 1 8. And therefore that ouf onely fuccourjani refuge is 'to iBie to the - mercic of our Father by lefu.s Chrift , and afliiredly to p jrfvvade • our mindes , that he is the Ohtaimr of forgiveneffe for onr jinnes ; Andj that by hu, bhoi, aH mr'fpotl offnt , h rvafhed-cleuyie : That he hath pacified, andfet at one^ all things b) the blood of his crojfe - That he by thi fame one onelyfacrijice, which he once oi^ired upoir" ^t-Crojfe, hath brought to ertetl, and fulhlidi all thingsy and 'hat for that caule he faid, -when hegave upthe Ghoft, Itkf^ip-jdd, as though he u^iuld fignifie , that the price y and r-anfe-ne wasiio-vV^ folly paid for the fin of mankinde. ';■■■■. ,-{ Anic. 19. If there be any, that thinke this facrifice not fufficientjet theai? goe in Gods name and feeke a better. VVe v:ri!y , bf caiife we l4no\v thistobe th^ Oneljfacifice^-sxz well content wiih it alon?, and looke for none other : and , forafmuch as it was tobs off *red- but-once, we co.-nmand it not to be renewed again : : andjbecanfe it was fuU, and perfit in^allpointS; and parts, we ^z not ordaine in-^ place th^reofanycontin^iaii-fuccenion of oS^rings. '-or MU.xii ' To conclude, we beleeve that this ourielfe fame fielli, where^ in we livej alihouvgh it die,and come to dufl:, yet at the lafl: fhalj re- tiirne again unto life, by the means of ChriftsTpirit, whic-h dwcl-» kch in us : and that then verily, u hatfoever we luff-er licre in the» ftieane while forhis fake i-CHtitl will wipe away all teares anJ heavineife from our eyes : and that we through him /hall enjoy; everUftin^hfe,and riialiforcvcrbe'wi:h.him-mgbry.Sob€it»' J o;i9iij;j tCri;»V7:;?i:ilni v.sii; ;o-!,bt.r;rn2i3£ih ,:)i , ;>V(xIb .'' '' ,'' 'Ql^t^^^tkRXlanfeffmn^fi^^-i. -L.t^v i\. '• \ 7^ 7E beieeve that our m oft mightic and graci us Goi Afpcif*- V V ( when-hc fa w that man h?.d thus throwne liimfelfe into the damnation both offpirituall and corpora]] deatli,ind Was.m*.i6 altogether leiferable and accurfed) by his wiJuderf-uU'wifdome and goodnefle , was induced both to fccke hiiir, when {hr(!H3gh iearc he had &d fronihis prefence, an J«hb moS lovfrigly to-com* fort him, .giving unto himthe promife of his own ^^tiici be bom of a woman:, which fliould breake tli: head of the Serpent , and reftorebiintofelicitieandhappinefle. . ^jn..:-;../i ) ' . irw> 18. ^loreover we confefl>,that God did then at tli^IJSit^Kfulfillhis proflE] Ife .majid unto thie Fathers , by tlie «louth ot 'his holy P rcK jD^cts » when in his. appointed time he fent hisoiiely^andetemaH Son into .the ..world, vvii) took upon him thetorme^t-f a tervantjbe»' l.fif.. ■ ing His pcrfon^ natures, office, ^c, p^ ing made like unto men, and di4 truly take unto him the nature bf ' man,wth all infirmities belonging thereunto(finoneIy excepted) when he was conceived in the woiiibe of the blefled Virgin Ma- tj, by the power of the holy Ghoft: , without any means of man. The which nature of man he put upon him, not onely in relped of the body , but alio in refped of the foule : for he had al/b a tru^ foule, to the intent he might be true and perfe(5l man. For feeing that as weU the foule, as the body of man, was fubjedt to condemn nation , it was necefl'ary that Chrift iTiould take upon.him as well the foule , as the body , that he might fave them both together. Therefore contrary to the herefie of the Anabaptills, which deny that Chrift did take upon him the flefh of man , we confefle that Chrift was partaker of fleili and blood , as the reft of his brethren .were, that he came from theloynes of David, according to the fleiTi, I iay , that he was made of the feed of D^wi/according to the fame rielli,. and that he is a fruit of the Virgins wombc. boms cf a woman, the branch of D^wW, a flower ofthe root of /(?jf^, .comming of the tribe oiI»da, and of the lews themfelve*, accor- ding to the fieiTi : and to.conclude, the true fe.d oi Abraham and ^avid, the which feed of Abraham he tooke upon him , being jmade in all things like untohis brethren , fin onely excepted , as hath been faid before jfo that he is indeed our true Emmanuel,that .is, God with us. ^ ; We beleeve alfo that the perfon of the Son was by this coii-^;w 19. ception infcparably united and coupled with the humane nature, yet fo , that there be not two Sons of God , nor two perfbns, but two natures joyned together in one perfon : both which natures . doe ftill retaine their o wne proprieties. So that, as the divine na- ture hath remained alwayes uncreated, without the beginning of dayes, and tearme of life , filling both heaven and earth : lo the humane nature hath not loft his proprieties.but hath remained ftill a creature , having both beginning of dayes and a finite nature. Tor whatfoever doth agree unto a true body, that it ftill retaine"^, and although Chrift by his rcfurredion hathbeftowedimmorta- litieupon it, yet notwithftanding he hath neither taken away thetrueth of the humane nature, nor altered it. For both our falvation, and alfo our refurrecftion dependeth upon thetruejth of Chrifts bodie. Yet thefe two natures are fo united and cc^i- , pled in one perfon , that they could not , no not in his death , be Icparated the one from the Qthei:. VY<^ei:efore that^, -.which in his .^_^ ' G 2 ' ^ ' death ac« Theftxth SeBion. of lefw Chrifl, dcatbhcicommended onto his Father, was indeed a humane Spi- rit» departing out of his body : but in the meane ieafon the divine nature :did alwaies remaine joyned to the humane , even then when he lay in the grave t io that his Dsitic was no ieffe in him atdiat time , then when as yet he was an infant , although for a fmalifeafon it did not fhew forth it felfe. Wherefore we confefie that he is true God,and true man : true God, that by his power he might overcome death : and true man, that in the infirmiticof bis lie fli he might die for us. Artk, ao. We bcleeve that God , which is both perfe(5lly msrrcifull , ^:i^ perfectly jaft,did iend his Son to take upon him that nature,which through difobedience had offended , that in the felfe fame nature be might iatislie for finne , and by his bitter death and paiTionpay the puniiTiment that was due unto finne. God thercf^ re hath idcclared and manifefted his jafnce in his owne Sonne being loa- den with our iniquities: but hathmoft mercifull-powred forth and declared his gracious goodneife unto us guiitie wretches, and worthie of condemnation, whiieftthat in his incompre- henfible love towards us , he delivered up his 'Sonne unto death for our fins, andraifed him upagaine from deatli for cur j unifica- tion J that oy him we might obtainc immortalitie and UTe ever- lading. : o.'tu: A^iici I. We bcleeve that lefus Chrift is that high Prieft, appointeiito that office eternally > by the oath of his Father, according to the order of Melchlfedech , which oiiered hmifclfe in our name be- fore his Father with a full fatisfadlion for the pacifying of his .wrath, laying himfelfe upon the altar of the crofle, and hath (lied bisblood for the cleanfing of onriins , as the Prophets had fore- told. For it is writ ten , that t^he chafiifcwent -of our pence rpm laid 'mfonthe Sonne of Cjod^ and hy hi6^0Hnds\^fc ^rs healed. Alio that ^'ise tt'^ carried as a [heefe itttto the^aughier , reputed am-jn^ft fin" •juers aTtduv ufiy andcondtmnedofP ontim FiUte, as a malelactour, .though before he had pronounced him guihJene.Therfore he pay- -'cd that which he had nc t t3ken,and being juft, fufiered in foul and ^■feody fortheunjaft, infuchlort, tharfeeliiig the horror of thofe - ' jpunillimcnts that were due unto our fins, he did /treat water and ' i-plood,in\i at length cried ont, Mj God^my God, why haji thoaforfk- '^ienme? All which he fuffcred forthe remilHon of our fins. Where- •^fore we do not without /uft caufe profeffe w^^'^ P.nnlythat -wel^ow • n^hinglHit Jefw Chriji yKindhimtrticified ^ Andthat'^e'doe nccos*nt fill hiS perfonj natures yOffice^^c* lO i aU things 06 dnng, in rejpe5i \of the excellent knowledge oj lefits Chrift our Lord, rinding in his wounds and ftripes all manner <5f C0mfort,th3tcanbedeferved. Wherefore there is no need, that cither we (liould wifh for any other meanes, or devifc any of got o wnc braines, whereby we might be reconciled unto God bcfides this one oblation once offered^ bj the tvhich all thefaithfnll, vhichate fanHified^areconfecratedtOrperfe5ied for ever. And this is the caufe, why he was called the Angclf that he might reconcile his Father unto us, and might beafacri- fice, not oneLy for the Originall finne, but alio for all a(5luall finnes of men. The fame alfo delcendcd into hell, and did truelyriiea- gaine the third day. Afterward he ascended into heaven, that he might fit at the right hand of the Father, and reignc forever, and have dominion over ail the creatures, fandi fie thofe that beleeve in him, by fending tb^ holy Spirit into their hearts,.and give ever- Jafting life to fuqh as he had fanjftificd. The fame Chrift iLall open- tycomcagaine» to judge them that are found alive, and the dead raifed up againe, according to the Creede of the Apoftles. his perfon, natures ^office ^^c, lolj In the end. of this Article after thefe "^ords (by fending hii holy Spirit into their hearts ) thefe ^ords arefonnd in fome Editions* BY fending his Spirit into their hearts,which may reigne,com- fort, and quicken them, and defend them againft the DcviJ, ■and the power of fin. The fame Chrift fliall openly come againc, to judge the quicke and the dead, &c. according to the Creed of the ApoRles. Alfo they teach , that in the end of the world Chrift (hall ap- peare to judgement, and lliallraifc up all the dead, and Hiall give unto men (to wit, to the godly and eled:) eternall life, and ever- lafling joyes , but the ungodly and the devils fliall he condemne unto endleffe torments. Alfo we condemne the Origenifts , who imagined , that the devill and the damned creatures fliould one day have an end of their pains. j^fter the firj} period o/ this Article, this is thmfennd elfe-^here, THey condemne the Anabaptifts, that are of opinion, that the damned men and the devils (hall have an end of their tor- ments. They condemne others alfo^ which now adaies do fpread abroad lewilli opinions , that before the refurredion of the dead, the gody Chall get the loveraigntie in the world , and the wicked be brought under in every place. Om of the Confefsion ?/Saxonie, Hitherto pertaineth apart of the third Article. 'T' H E Son of Qod, our Lord lefus Chrift, who is the Image of the eternall Father , is appointed our Mediator , Reconciler, Redeemer, luftifier, and Saviour. By the obedience and merit of him alone the wrath of God is pacified, as it is faid, Rom/^. whom he fet forth to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood. And, Hcb. 10. It is impoffible, that the blood of B His fhonld takeapeay fins. Bmhee^eringa fitcri^ce for fins,fitteth for ever at theri^t ii,^ , , hand of Gody &c. And although we doc not fee as yet, * in this ftrft^obff mr. ourinfirmitie,thecaufesof thiswonderfull cdunfcll, why man- upon this con» kinde was to be redeemed after this fort , but we fhalllearn them feflion. G 4 here- 204 The fxth SeSiion» OflefmChrifi, hereafter in all ctcrnitie, yet thefe principles are now to be learn- ed. In this facrificc there are to be fcene , juilicc in the Vv'rath of Godagainftfin> infinite mercie towards us, and love in his Son towards mankinde- 1 he fcveritie of his juftice was fo great,that there be no reccwiciiiation , before the punillimcnt wasaccom- ^lifhed. His mercie was fo great, that his Son was given for us. .There was fo great love in the Son towards us,that he derived un- to himfeife this true and exceeding great anger. O Son of God, kindle in our hearts , by thy hoy fpirit, a confideratinn cf thefe great and fecret things, that by the knowledge of this true wrath we may be fore afraid, and that again by true comfort v/e may be lifted up, that we may praifc thee for ever. Out of the Cenfejfion «/Wirtemberge. "XT' \7^ E belceve and confefle, that the Son of God , our I ord ^ e- fus Chrift, begotten of- his etemall Father , is true and e- ternall God, confubftantiall with his Father,and that in the fulnefle ' ^S^ ^^' of time he was made man, to purge our {vcny and * to procure the upon'thiVcon- ^^^"""^^ falvation of mankinde : that Chrift lefus, being very fcflion. Oo^i and very man, is one perfon onely, and not two, and that in thisoneperfon there be two natures, not one onely, asbytefti- moniesof the holy Scripture, the holy Fathers have declared» in the Councels held at Nice , Ephcfus, and Chalccdon. Thsireforc we deteft every herefie which is repugnant to this do(flriiie of the. Son of God. Ont 9fthe Confefskn of Sue v B l- an r>. Alfo we beleevc that our Saviour ief us Chrift, being true God , was alio made true man , his natures not being con- founded, but (o united in one and tiie (ams perfon, that they fhall oever hereafter be dilTolved. Neitherdoe we differ any things) thofe points, which the Church being taught out of the holy Gof^ pels, doth belecve, concerning our Saviour lefus Chrift ^ concei- ved of the holy Ghoft , born of the Virgin Mmtj , and v;ho at tlie lengdi, after be had difcharged the otticeof preaching thc.G<^j pell, ^^6. on the erode , and was buried, and defcendcd into beU, and the third day he was called backe from the dead untolife ettr-» x^3j^xbe,wfeK^ life wicn.he.had.by divers arguments prooveti ■.•c.t untc hU pcrfon,ndtureSyoffice^(^c. lOf wnto witnefleSjbcreunto appointed, he was carried up into hea- ven to the right hand of his leather, from \vl)cnee we. iooke that he (hould co'me to judge the quick and the dead* In theincaric time let us acknowledge that he is nevertheicflc prelent with his Church, that he doth renew, and (andifie it^ and as his oneiy be- loved Spoufe^beautifie it with all forts of ornaments ofvertues: and in thcfe things we doc nothing variefrom the Fathers, nor from the common confent of Chriftians - we thinkc it fufficient, after this fort to teftifie our faith. THE SEVENTH SECTI- ON. OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL. The latter Confejfion «f U-E LV z t j A* Of the La^ of God. G H A F. 12. ^_J!^^^^ E teach, that the will of God is fet downe unto us . vaSS® in the Law of God, to wit, what he would have us %^ to doe, or not to doc, what is good and juft, or what is evill and unjuft. We therefore confclfe that the Lould, be either added or taken iC^aj from thk U^. Neither would he have commanded us to goe ftraight forward in this, and Not t9 decline out of the ivay either to the right hand or to the left. We teach that this law was not given to men that wc fliould be juftified by keeping it, but that by the knowledge thereof wc might rather acknowledge our infirmitie, finnc, and condemna- tion, and fo difpairing of our owne flrength might turneunto Pom, ?.4. Chrift by faith. For the Apoftle faith plainely. The law worketh C' al . ^ . wrath, and, bj the law cometh knowledge of finne. And, If there htud beene a lav» giverty which conldhave iufiified and given m hfe^fmeh righteottfne^eJhoHldhavebeenebjthelarv. But the Jpirit (to wit of the law) hath concluded all und^rfinne^ that the promife by the faith of Jefi'ti Chriji Jhoftldbe givcntothemVuhich beUeve. There'' fore the law ^as our Sehoolemajler to Chrifi, thiit we might bee iufiified by faith. For neither could there ever, neither at this day * ^°^ f^ can * any flcfli fatisfie the law of God, and fulfill it, by reafon of J."r°"„L^ l^'theweakenefleinourfleni, which remaineth and fticketh faft in vat. upon this i n t it- i » m • I • ^.rf confeffion. us,even to our la' t breath, ror the Apoltle laitn againe, That Rom.8. which the law could not performe^in as much m it was weake through the flefifj that did God performs , fending hit on ne Sonne infimUitude offifh,ftibiefl tofinne. Therefore Chrift is the perfiterof the law, and oer fulfilling of it, who as he tooke away the curfe of the law, '^ when he was made a curie for us, fp doth he communicate unto us by faith his fulfilling thereof, and his rightcoufncflc and obe- » Lookcthc dicnce is imputed unto us- The law of God therefore is * thus }. Obfcrv-- farre abrogated, as that it doth not henceforth condemne us, nei- "°" f 'rr'^'^ ^^^^^- workc wrath in us. 7 or we are under grace, and not under the ■ ^"''^' "'°"- /^W. Moreover Chrift did fulfill all the figures of the law. Where- fore the fhadow ceafed, when the body came ; fo that in Chrift we have now all truth and fulnefle. Yet wc doc not therefore difdainc or re/ed the law. We remember the words of the lord, faying, I came not to defiroy the Law andthe Prophet Sy but to fulfill * Locke the fijg^, \j\^q ip was given by [ohm, jMofeSy btit grace and truth came by lefm (fhrift. Yet notwith- ftanding it is moft certaine, thar they which were before the law, and under the law, were not altogether deftitute of the Gofpel : For they had notable Evangelicall promifes, fuch as thv::rcare : The feede of the rnom^.njhalibrmfe the Serpents he.id. In thy feede Grn, j. fiiall aU the ndtions of the earth be b/ejfed. Thefcepterjhallnot be 3'n.a». taken from IndA^ ttntiH Silo come. 7 he Lord [hall ratfe up a Prophet ^'^-^9' from among fl his ownebrethreyi^&c. And we doe acknowledge 4^"''!*'' that the fathers had twokinde of promifes revealed unto them, * ** even as we have. For fome of them were of prefent and tranfito- rie things, fuch as were the promifes of the land of Canaan, and of vifflorics, and fuch as are now a dayes, concerning our daily bread. Otherfome there were then> and alio arc now, of heavenly and everlafting things, as of Cjods favour, remidionof finnes, and life cverlafting, through faith in lefus Chrift. Now the fathers had not onely outward or earthly, but fpirituall and heavenly promiles in Chrift. For the Apoftle Peter laith^that the Prophets which pro- phejied of the grace that pjaidd corns to tu^ have fearch.d and inqni" redofthisfdhation. Whereupon the Apo!UeP<^/// alio faith, that the Gofpel of Godtvas promifed bcfire by the Prophets of God in the holy Scriptures. Hereby then it appeareth evidently^ that the fa« thers were not altogether deftitute of all the Gofpel. And although after this manner our fathers had the Gofpeliii the writings of the Prophets, by which they attained ialvation ia Chrift through faith, yet the Gofpel is properly called that glad and happie tidings, wherein firft by lohi Baptift, then by Chrift the Lord himfeife, and afterward by the Apoftles and their luc- ceffours» is preached to us in the world, that God hathno w per- fornie z- the^ir'it, and the minifierle of the jpirit, becaufe it is living, and working through faith in the earcs, yea in the hearts of the faith- full thorough the illumination of the holy Spirit. For the better, which is oppofed unto the fpirit, doth indeed figniiie every out- ward thing, but more fpecially the dodrine of the Law, which without the fpirit and faith worketh wrath, and ftlrreth up finnc in the mindesofthem, that doe not truely belecve. For which caufe it is called by the Apoft [e, the mimfitry of death : for hither- to pertaineth that faying of the Apof^le, The letter kiUeth, btft the j^im^iwr^ />/>. The falfeApoRtes preached the Gofpel, corrup* ted by mingling of the law therewith, as though Chrift could not fave without the law. Such alfo were the Hebionites faidtobci which came of Bebio»xhz heretike : and the Nazarites,which be- fore time were called Myneans. All which we doe condemne, fincerely preaching the word, and teaching.that the beleevers arc juftified by the fpirit onely, and not by the la w. But of this mat- ter there (hall follow a more large difcourfcintbe title of juflr- fication. And although the dodrine of the Gof pel compared with the Pharifecs dodrine of thclawtmight feeme (when it was firft. preached by Chrift) to be a new dodrine, the which thing alfa Jeremy prophefied of the New Teftament, yet indeed it not one- ly was, and as yet is (though the Papifts call it new, in regard of Popifh dodrine, which hath of long time beene received) an an- ■% Tim. «, }:rine^do?h.i? ths word of -^wrsth» aiti "tbe.A^rd of male- didlion : but the word of the Nevv Teftament, that is, of the holy G.Qlpel,.is theminifterie of faith, audot the nf^ f.oveiiant, the vVj9c4 of comfopt, and ih^ meirenger of peace. -<^^. them both the /ip 9 file, writeth ihiiSyTheUti^icki^eth-j hm the fpl'-: rit ejHicknethi And C-hriji iaith, ThewyrdSi Tivkici>Jjpeake\iirej^rtt- and life, n If a there iijnentirm Tttade of. the ufeofthemotAliU^^ thf^) fo fir t^h Chapter of this Cvyfejfion (^yeginnlng with thsfe words This- do(5lrine of the true knowledge of linnejo^c) di ii t^hejeene before^, j Cor= |. in^t^ef^UnhSefliQjfi^'^hex^ii:^^ ;r:Jiohn 6» ' £ heiceve ;t}i^t^alL4;he-itigat;:es pf^th© bj^fare taken a-' . w^ay-by thecQ;DingQf>Chi:iil:j,hQ»fbcit; We ar^ laflured ,Mr-. i tha,t the truth and I'ublbnceof theiil dofb abide in hjtny in whom they ^e ^ f^lf?M^d:• Yqt.v?^ .i3auft.^u.fev^ie-:jdbdrine of the law. andthe Prophets, both %q frame ourAife aright, and alio tta^t we roayffo a-iucUtbe, mote be; confirmed, iii.-.thv.prpmijrcspfc \7^V7'"E heleeve'tha't all inc ceremonies, figures, and fhadowcs • '^'' , ofthe law, have cealed at the coming ofChrift, fothat riow even the ufe of them ought to be taken away andabolilhed among ChrillJans. Yet; iii the meane ;time,;the trnth^nd fub- ftarice of them doth remaine to us in Chril]:, in .wliom ibey ar© ailfulnlled? .And therefore we doe ftill ufe the tefl:in:]onie5:oft'h(S' Law and. the Prophets, to confirme our felves in the do^rineoC ^ ■ ' tns J I i The feventh SeSiien, the Gofpel, and to Icadc an honcft life, unto Gods gtoiy, according to his will. THE CONFESSION OF AVSPVRGE d,th by the V^ay mention the do^rlne of the Go/pel, ^nd of the end thereof^ in the fourth and fifth aAr tides, which ^e have fUcedinthenintit SeSiion, wherein iuflificatien, and remijfton of ftmes by faith in Chrijfji^ handled. Out efthg Cenfejfton e^^ereahletobeare? but^\'e beleeve through the grace of our Lord fefm Chrift to befaved, even 04 thsy, c^c, .And liy^u- ^uftine faith, That people which received the old Teftament, was S^^^^SlT held under certaine (hadowes and figures of things before the difdphiumcap.i H 2 ' coming ii6 The eighth Se^ion. coming of the Lord, according to the WonderfeU and mofl: order- ly divifion of times. Yet therein was fo great preaching and fore- telling of the new Teftament, that in the t vangelicall and Apo- ftoiike difcipline (though it be painefuUand divine) no com man- dements or promifes can be found, which are wanting even in thofc old boookes. THE EIGHT SECTION. • OF REPENTANCE AND THE CONVERSION OF MAN. Luke 2^4. The Utter Qonfeffidn o/H i L V E T i A Chap. 14. He Gofpel hath the doflrine ofrepentance joyncd with it : for lb faid the Lord in the C iofp?l, Inmy name mnfi repentance andremifsion of (tune i Leprea-' ched among all nations. By repentance we under- ftand the change of the mind'e in a (infoll man ftir- red up by the preaching of the Goipel and by the holy ipiiir, re- ceived by a true faith, by which a finfuU man doth efrtoones ac- knowledge his naturall corruption and ail his {innes, feeing them convinced by the word of -Jod, snd is heartily grieve»i «or them, and doth not onely bewaile and freely confeiifc them before God with rhame, but alio doth bath and abhorre them withindigna- tion,thinketh ferioufly of prefent amendment, and ot a continuall care of innocencie and vertues, wherein to exercife himfelfe ho- lily all the reft of his life. And furcly this is true repentanje , namely an unfeigned turninguntoCod and to all goodncfie, and afcrious rcturne fi-om the devill and from all evill. Now we doe exprefly fay that this repentance is the meercgift of God, and not the of Repent Ance, andtheCmverfwnofma». 117 the workc of our owne ftrength. For the Apoftlc doth will the fkithfullMinifter diligently to InfintSi tbofeVchich '^Ithfiand the ~. trfith, if that at any time the Lord ^ill give them refentance, that shej may acknowledge the trmh, Alfo the finnefuU woman in the Gofpel, which wafhed Chrifts'feet with her teares, and Peter which bitterly wept and bewailed hisdcniall of his Maftcr, doc manifeftlylTiew, what minde the penitent man (houldhave, to wit, very earneftly lamenting his fins committed. Moreover the Prodigall fonne, and the Publican in the Gofpel that is compared with the Pharificjdoth fet forth unto us a raoft fit pattemc of con- f efling our finnes to God. The Frodigall fonne faid, Father^ I have jinnedagaiyjfi heaven, andagainji thee, lam not Worthy to be calied thy fonne, m^ikemeas oneofthy hiredfervants. The Publican alfo not daring to lift up his eyes to heaven , but knocking his breft,he cryed, ^od bemcrcifull unto me a [inner. And we doubt not but the Lord received them to mercy. For /o/j« the ApoHle jiohni. faith: If'^^econfe^eonrfmnes^ h; uf.ithf fill and iyjl to forgive w ^urfinneSyUndtofurgeHsfromaUin'.quitie. If yve fay yve have net finned^ we make him a lyar, and his word id not in m. We beleeve that this fincere confeflion which is made to God alone,cither privately betweene God and the (inner, or openly in the C hurch, where that generall confeiTion of finncs is rehearled, is fufficicnt, and that it is not neceflary for the obteining of remif- (ion of finnes, that any man Ihould confefle his firmes unto the Pricftjwhifpefingthem into his eares, that the Prieft laying his hands on his head, he might receive abfolution, bccaufe that we finde no commandement nor example thereof in the holy Scrip- ture. D avid •^iQit^z^zri6.{2\^, I made my fault kno^ne tothee^X'£A.i%, nndmj unrighteoHfne^e did I not hide from thee. I faid, I W/^ con^ feffe my ^ickedne(fc to the Lord againfi myfelfe, andthou hafi for- give» the hainofifneffe ofmyjinne. Yea and the Lord teaching us to pray, and alfo to confeile our fimes,faid, ScJha.llyoH pruy,Oftr Fa* Matth.^. ther which art in heaven, forgive U4 our debtSy even at ^v forgive eurdebters. It is requilite therefore that we fliould confeffe our fins unto God, and be reconciled with our neighbour, if we have offended him. And the Apoftle fames {peeking generally of con- feflion, faith, Confefeeach of you your fnnes one to another. If {o lamcs < , be that any man being overwhelmed with the burthen of his (yis and troublefome temptations will privately «skecounfelljinftru- dion, ©r comfort, iqithcc of a Miniftcr of the Church, or of any o- H 3 thcr ii8 The eighth Se&ien, ther brother that is learned in the law of God, We doe not miflikc it. Like as aKo we do: fully allow thatgenerall and puhlikecon- felTion, which is wont to be rehearfid m the Church and in h ^ly meetings (whereof we fpake before) being as it is agreeable witli the Scripture. All th ffe As concerning the kcics of the kingdome of heaven, which the tbmgs which Lord committed to his Apofties, they prate many flrange things, ^h^ k'?''^ d,°*^ ^"'^ of thefe keies they make fwordsXpears, fcepters, and crowns, properly PC- ^"^ ^^^^ po wcr over mightie kingdoiiies, yea and over mens loals tai ie to the Biid bodies. But wc judging uprigh'ly according to the word of »o. S:d. ■ Cjod; doe fay that all Minillers truely called, have and extrcife the keies, or the ufc of them, when as they preach the Gofpel> that is to fay, when they doe teach, exiiort, reprove, and keepe in order the people committed to their charge. For io doe they open the kingdome of God to the obedient, and 111 jt itagainft che difobe- dient. Thefe keies did the Lord promife to the Apo'tles, in thi I d. Chapter oiMatth;^y^^^A delivered th:rm in fohn lo. Chapter, -Mit the Lord ^ave to his Aiinificrs the mim[}erj/ of reconctiiation. And what this was, he ftraight Way maketh plauie, and faith, 71?? "^ord or do^ri>te of reconciliation. And yet more pi iinly, eKpoiind- ing his words he addeth,that the Minifters of Chrill:,^^ as it were goe animha^age in Chrijis namCy as if God himfelfe Jlwuld by hU Jldinifiers exhort thepeop/e to be ricorxiledto God^ to wit, by taith- full obedience. They ufe the keies therefore, when as they per- (wade to faith and repentance. Thus doe they rcco,.cile m.nto God, thus they forgive finnes.thus doe they open the kingdomne of heavcn,and bring in the beleevers : much differing herein fro:n thofcof whom the Lord fpakc in.the Qoi^t\Wo be unto yon L and in flaying the old man, and raifing up thenewn^n, the examples in the Golpel doc teach us. For the Lord faith to him, whom he had healed of the palfic, Behold thou art ma.de rthole^ fin no more, Uji Aworfe thingconte Hoto thee. Like wife to the adultc- john j. reffewoman, which was delivered, hziaxd^ goethjway^andjinne j^j^j^ g no more. By which words he did not meane that any man could be free from (innc,whiles he lived in this flefhibut he doth commend unto us diligence and an earned: care, that we ( '■. fay) fhould ende- vourby all meanes, and beg of God by pr'ayer, that we might not fall againe into (inne, out of which we are rifen after a manncr,and that we may not be overcome of the flelli the world,or the devill. Zacheui the Publican, being received into favour by the i ord,he cryeth out in the (Jofpel. 'Behold Lor d^the halfeof my goods I give ^y^t g tothefoore,findif Ihavetalfen from any man tiny thina- by foraed cavi/Utioti, I refiorehim foure fold After the fame manner wc preach that reftitution and mercy, yea and giving of almes, ar<; neceffary for them which doe iruely repent. And generally out of the Apoftles words we exhort men,{aying. Let notftme reigne in „ ,. your m.rtallbodyy that you Jhouldobey it through the lufis thereof. Neither give ye your members as weapons ofunrighteoufnejfe tefin : but give your [elves unto God, as they that are alive from the dead, ar.dgive your members ai Veeapons ofrighteoufneffe ttnto God, Wherefore we condcmne all the ungodly speeches of certain, which abu!e the preaching of the Gofpel, and lay,To returne unto God,isvery ea(ie, for Chrift hath purged all our finnes. Forgive- neffe of finnes is cafily obtained : What therefore will it hurt to finnc ? And,we need not take any great care for repentance, &c. ' Not withftanding we al waies teach, that an entrance unto God \s ©pen for all finners, and that this God doth forgive all the finnes of the faithfijlljonely that one finne excepted,which is committed a- gainfi: the holy Ghoft. Andtherefore we ccndemne the oldand ' ^^'^' ■ new Novatians and Catharines, and elpecially we condemne the Popes gainfull doctrine of penance, and againft his- Simonie and Simoaaical indulgences we ufe tiiat fentencc of ^W» Teter,Thy \ ^j g,, ; imnfj ferifh^'ith thee, becaufe. thou thoHghtejh that the gifs of G^ ■ - might be bought With msney^ Thouhajino part orfilowjhipinthii J :'. H 4 matter i^f) . ; T 'c The eighth Sexton, mutperysfor thy heart ii not upright before God. We alfb difaltdW thofejfbat thinke that themfclvcs by their owne fatisMions can inske recomperKJe for their frnnes committed. For we teach that Chdft alone by his death, and paiTion, is the fatisfadlion, propitia- tion,and purging of all fins. Neverthcleflc we ceafe not to urge, as was before faid, the mortification of the flclTijandyct we adds If, ^ J. further, that it muft not be proudly thriift upon God, for a iatisfa- 1 Cor. I. (Sion for our fins, but muft humbl)', as it bccometh the fonnes of God, be performed, as a new obedience , to ilisw thankchiM mindesfor the deliverance and full fatisfadiod obtained by the death andiatisfadion ok. the Sonne of God. n; Ont ef the Confejfton pfBOHEj^IA» Ch A p. 5. 'Ow that we know what finne is, in the next place wc are taught concerning holy repentance : which dodrine doth bring great comfort to all finners, and generall)', it is very profita- ble and ncceflary to ialvation, fea* all men, as vveUforChriftians which begin to learnc, a.s for thofc which have profited, yea even for finners that have fallen, yet fuch which by the grace of God being converted, doc repent. Of this repentance lohn Baptift; didt Macth I. preach, and after him Chrift, in thefe words. Repent, for the kj»g* Mar. I. doTne of God ii at hand. Afterward alfothe Apoftles preached therof throughout the whole World, for fo it is vmttcn^A/tdthw Luke 84. »' behoved, that repentance a-ndrcm'ffion of ftnnes Jhould be preached inhii name tkmcngallnAtions. Now this repentance doth wholly arife out of a true knowlegc of finne, and the wrath of God : Ani to attaine unto this knowledge, we muft ufe the foil and entire* helpe of the Minifterie, by preaching to lay open unto us both th© dodrine of repentance orthclaw, touching that righteoiilheft© which is due unto God, and the fcntenceof God pronounced a4 gainft fin, and alfo of faith in ChriO: Icfus, and of that holy fatisfa^ dion, which he hath m«de for us, by fuft'-ring moil grievous tor-J mcnts. This repentance and faving converiion doth our mercifult God, by his peculiar gift, offer and beftow , and he writeth the E i-^ h - ^« fame in the hearts of the faithfuU, even as he faith, I will give yott Heb. 8. arte^ heart ^ndl^UlfHt mjfjp^irit in the ntidfl ofji.ou,& I ■wilcaufi- Ezecfj. 1 6. ymto w4lkJnmy^aiestP^2kiiThat JO» may reyent ofjourftns^ artd - Jcrem. 3 1. cfyo/tr Maftp And agab,WKlfc'#» I VfM converted^ I did repnt. Ihis. of Repemance, and the C$nverfion of Man, 1 21 This faving repentance (which doth differ very much from the repentance c? Efa» and Jndoi) taketh it troe and right begirxiin^i from this gift of Uod , who bcfto weth if, and from the Sernions of the word of God, whereby fin is rcprooved : and it hath this in order firft , that it is a feare and terrour of the fccret heart be- fore Goci, aiKi ti-jarby rq^enung and forrovving it doth trembleat this /lift and fcvere j-idgement and revengeraent , wlicrcupona- rifetha heavie, trembjing , and unquiet confbience, a troubled minde, a heart ib forrowfull, carcfull, and bruifed, that a man can have no comfort with himieifc and of himfelfe , but his foule is kill of all griefe, fadnelfe , anguiO^ , and terrcur , Avhereby he is: much tEOubled, bccaufe of the feare of that burning wrath^ which he feeth in the fevcrc countenance of God. We have an example in Davidy when he faith. There is nothing found in mjjiejh, hecAufe of thine Avger, neither is there refl in mj bonei, becahje ofmjfiyrnes^ ^^^1. % '. J am become mifcrablc ^ and crcek^dvery Jore : J goemotcrmnix nil fheddy. Such a terrour and truefcnfe of fin do:h worke in the faithfull an inward change of the minde and the loule , and a con- flant dctefting of lin and the caules and occafions thereof Herc- nnto it is ftreight way added, by di :ig,^t teaching of the troubled, terrified, and repentant, that fuch men ought,in a fincere affedion of the heart, with repentance > and an humble iubmilTionof the minde, by their confelTion and invocation to turnc unto the Lord, and by faith in lefus Chrift our Lord to conceive fiire and undoubt- ed truft in his mercie , to hold faft the apprchen jed promiic , and to relye wholly thereon ; and feeing they have no righteoufneilc of thcmfelves , earnefily and faithfully to defire of the Divine grace, that God would have mercie on them, and vouchfafc of his grace to forgive them their fins, for the Son, and his precious me- rits lake, who was made anatt«nementor reconciiiatioaforfin, s Joh. », yea alfo a curfe , that he might make or confecrate us as holy unto '^'■^^- i« God. For to fuch men ( that they may be ftirred up to the gjreatcr confidence) that fure and precious promile is propounded, and by preaching ought to be propoun^^ed , whereby the Lord doth fay, CaH f*po» me in the day of trouble^ and I ^ill deliver thee : and this p f , 1 , - they ought to doe, as often as they have need, and io long as they live. Hereof the judgement of S^ c^agHJlins is extant , Lib. 1 . de Penitent ia. C/ip. i . No man can "^e II meditate of repent ance^ ex- cept he be perj waded oj the mercie of God toward himy or^ he (aitb, ^mU thatjhall hope for indulgence > Now Ifa.i. 122 The eighth SeBisn, Now all men , which doe truly repent them of their fins, and in regard thereof arc fbrrowfull, and miflike themielves, ought to/ ceafe from the committing of evili , andlearneto doe that '^hichii good: for fo writeth Efay in that p!ace , wherein he exhcrteth to repentance. And fohn Baptifi in the like fort admoniihing the I «k. 5 . people, iaith, See that you bring forth , or doe , thefimts vporthy of <:olcfl. J. refentance: wWch doth chiefly co^i^^ in mortification or putting Epbtf. 4. ojf the old man, and in -putting on the new man , vphkh after Godti created in righteoufnefe, c^c. as the Apoftohke do(5trine doth fig- » L"okc tht nifie. Moreover, the penitent are taught, * to conic to the Phyfi- ihrft obf. rvar. cians of their louls, and before them to confefle their fins to God, uv^n this cor- y^^ ^^ j^^^P, j^ commanded or urged to tell and reckon up his fins, '°"* but this thing is therefore ufed, that by this means every one may declare their griefe, wherewith they be troubled, and how much they millike themielves for their finnes , and may peculiarly defire and know that they obtame of their God counleii and dodlrine, hov/ they may hereafter avoyd them , and get inftrudion and comfort for their troubled confcicnces, and abfolution by the power of the Keies, and remiilion of fins, by the minifterie of thSf Gofpel inftituted of Chrilf ; and when theie things are perform- ed to them of the Minifters , they ought to receive them at their hands with confidence, as a thing appointed of God, to profit and to doe fervice unto them for their laving health , and without doubting to enjoy the remillion of their (innes , according to the Jc^ . ?o. word of the Lord, vchofe finnes you remit, thty are remitted. And they relying upon this undoubted faith , ought tobccertaineand of a rclolute minde , that through the minitterie of thofe Keies, concerning the power of Chrilf , and his word , all their [innes be forgiven them. And therefore tliey which by this means and order obtaine a quiet and )oy full conicience, ought to fiievv them-; feivcs thankfull for this heavenly bountifulnefie in Chrift, neither muft they receive it in vain, or returne againe to their fins accord- ing to that faithful! exhortation of Chrift, wherein he command- Jch. ^. eth us to take heed : Behold thou art made ^hole, fm no more, lefi J oh. 8. aVt'orfe thing happen unto th e. And, fee that thou finne no more-. Mow the foundation , whereon the whole vertue and efticacie of this faving repentance doth fi^ay it lelfc, is the merit of the tor- ments of the death, and relurredion of our Lord and Saviour, ^whereof he himfelfe^taith , Thefe things it behoaved C hriji tofufr Luk.14. fer^andtorife againe the thirdday.fi»d thatre^entaace andremiffim V, '.)'/.; of of Rcpemdnce^ andihs Converfion of Mar?. 1 23 of Jiusjheu/(il>e pr.'ocfjeii iff hti»,ime to /lU people. Andagaine, /?^. Mnk. i. pent, and beleeve the Gojpel. Alfo they teach, that they, vvhofe fin is publikc", and therefore a publike oftence, ought to give an* externall teftimonie of their * Lo^ke the repentance , when CJod doth give them the ipirit of repentance, fecond obf;r- and that for this caufe, that it may be ao arg^ument and teftimonie, ^-ic/'poa thi$ whereby it may be prooved or made evident, that thcfinners"^"'^^^'"'** which have fallen, and doc repent, doe trucly convert them- j^ felves : alfo that it may oe a token of their reconciliation with the ', ^] " ^* ^"<^ Church and their neighbour , and an example unto others , which ; r:m.5. they may feare and reverence. Laft of all , the whole matter is (liut up with this or fiich like daule of admonition , That evety oneiliall be condemned who- foever he be, which in this life doth not repent in the name of our Lord Jefus Chrift, according to that Sentence pronounced by Chrifl , Except ye repent , ye /hall all in like fort ferijb, as they didy •^ho yifereJlMne with the jail of the tower vf Silo. Hitherto alfo pertain, th that part of the fame confefsion ^ which treateth* Of the time of grace. Chap. 20. FVrth^rmore, among all other things they teach , concerning the time of grace, and the fatherly vilitation , that men may learnc to confider, that all that time of age, they lead in this life, is given them of God to be a time of grace, in the which they may Iccke their Lord and God his grace and merciejand. that they may be loved of him , and by this means obt aide here their faivation in Chriftj whereof the ApoRle alfo made mention in his Sermon, which he preached at Athens, faying, C7c<^/?^^^^/f/^»«?^««^<>»?^« _ the times, ^P hich were ordained before y and the bands of their habita- ' ' ^' tions y theit they jhofildfeeke the Lord, if fo be they might have gro- ped after him , and found him. And by the Prophet hfay the Lord laith , In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in the day of faU [q ^^^ vationhave I helpedthee. Beholdnow , faith Saint /'^/.i'v Oucbing Repentance they teach , that f uch as havd fallen af^ ter Baptifme may findc rcmiiTion^t what time they returne againe. And that the Church is bound to give abfolut ion unto fuchi'as returne by repentance. Now repentance or the conver- fion of the ungodly (landetb f ropcrly of thefe two parts. TbC'. one is contrition , that is , a terrour ftricken into the confciencc through the acknowledgcmentoffinne, wherein we doe both perceive Gods difpleafute , and are grieved that we have (inned, and doc abhorre and efchewfifnne, according TlsIosI preacheth. Rent J our hearts , dndmt yeur gArments ^ emdturne untsthe Lcrd jour Gody ^c. The other part is/<«/V^, which is begotuyiin tu^ by the Gofpeil or by abfolut ion , and doth bf Iseve that the iinnes arc undoubtedly forgiven for Chrift fake, and doth comfort the con-' (ciencc , freeing it from fearcs. Cfwhich faith fpakc Saint P^«/ when he faith , Bang fujlifed hy faith we h^ve peace with God. Afterward there mult follow the good fruits of repentance, that is, obedience unto Godj according to that faying ■, JVe are dehers HOt to the fejh' . to live after the jlejh. Fflrifje live after the jiejh^ye-. jhall die. But if hj/ the'jpirit.j/e mortifethe V^/^rk^^f theflejh^ye Jhaiitive. ." ,' ■ ; ■ . • . ■ .■■_ ' -r 7 " They conderane the No vatians which would no^abfolvetiiein: which have., fallen after Baptifme returned to repentance. 'They condemnc' alf6'thofe that teach not that remiflion of finncs cora- cth freely by faith for Chriftiake, but labour to proove that re- miflion of finnes comethby the worthinelTe of contrition, ofcha- ritie, or Qf^ooie other works , and would have mens conlciences in time of repentance to doubt, whether th^ey may obtaine re- miflion, and doe lay plainly $ that this doubting isno ilnne. Like- wife they con'demne thofe which teach that Canonicallfatisfadl- ons are neceflary to redecine etcrnall paines or the paines of Pur* gatory. Though * we are of that minde that the calamities of * Locke the this life may be afTwaged by good w6rks, as Efay teacheth C hap. 5. Obfervat. 58. Breake thy bread Hntothehnngryy andthe Lordfhall give thee refi continuallj. Bcfides they condemne * the Anataptiits , .who * j <>^, j. , j deny that they that are once juftiticd can againe looie thelpiritof ^.obfirvaE! God. Alfo they condemne thofe that ftifF:lyhold,thatfo"mc may attaineto fuchaperfedion inthisUfc, as ^hat they cjittnot Tinnei anymofeA^'- ^^''> -^-! when we ones are comforted in thefe terrours by faith, we do .undoubtedly obtaine remiflion of fins,as we have fard before. And ; this feith our mindes doe conceive by the Gofpel ; alfoby the ab- .2;*-icjiii I folution. 13 1 ^ - ^?' ^'^ - 1 T^e eighth Se6iion. Msdoii ; which ppeaehethandapplyetfethe Cofpeitjit^o-tfee d!- ftreflfed-dortfctcfnccs. Aiitlfk this caufecfoe our Divines teaGh,^ * Looke the *«hat^vatfe i'Abfolittidn isto be retained in the Churchs . and thej^ %. Obfcrvit. fetoiitthe dignitteyf^ it, and the power of the Keyes, with true ^cUveryUarge-cofiipf^ndatiens i namely y becaule the power oF the K'^yes doth- dirperifc the "Goipd notonely toal: in gencraU, but alioto every "^ione'in particular: as Chrift (aith , Thou hafi -won thj brother , &c.2X^A\k.t'iXifLtv^z rnufl belccve the voice oi'the (Siafpel; which is difpenfed unto usinabk4ution by the miniftery ©f the Church,no othet wife then a voice foundinrj from heaven;^ ■ > ^ This whole benefit of ablolution and of this miniilerie hath heretofore been wholly obfcuced with the falfe opinions of ftich, astaught, that abfolut ion was naught worth, .without iutficient contritionr,' and did afterwards will men to mifdoubt of abfoluti^ on , becaule no itian knew whether his contrition vyere itjrticient orfibt. What elfe was this but quite to takeaway frouiallcon* jfeiences the com fort .of the Gofpcl, and tor^^moove outof thg Churdiand cleane to abGlillltbcminilWry of the Gofpelorthi power of the Key cs ? Wl^-o doth not iee that thefc pernitiouster*- Tors are worthily rSproovcdB- ' . ' i l .j. V :■ v]SI o w feeirig that con feflion y^eldeth a place where to befto w ^folutiortin private ■, and ; this cultome doth uphold the under- Handing of the powefofthe Keyes,' and remillion of fins, among die people j befidcs, feeing that this conference availeth much for adttloni'Jhing-andinftruftingbf men , therefore we doe'ducly re»* taine ConfcUion in our Churches , yet fo , as that we teach that reckoning up of the faults is not necellary by GodsLaw, and ithat mcnsc<3n(ciences ar'^ not tobe clogged with it*.: For there is no commandement in all the Apdfties^V^itingsibuinding that way. Again, this rchearfing'ofallonesfinsis-a thing mipoflible, ^according to that in the ViAvn^ , who canunderfimdhii faults. And feremie (zith y %h^ heart of may^M corrupt ^andunfearchAble. -But ifno fins could be ifbrg'iv^n,-bat fuch as are reckoned up, mens 'confciences could never be at reft , becaule they neither lee , nor can call to minde the greateft niiinberof them. Whereby it may .eafily be gathered , that the miniflerie of abfolution and rcmiHi- on of fins doth not «iepend upon the condition of numbring them i The ancient Wnters alio doeteftiRethatthiscouritlngof 'fins, -by^tak is-^ thing necdieil?. C'h^yfojtome. on the> tpiiile ta the enolsuidr i Hebrews of Repent mce, and the Con'uefficn of Man, i^^, HcbrdWS faith. Let us hekoH efitfthat^^ ^avejini.^and.ktn^tthf.. tongue alone utter it , bm the confcience'^ithin malfo. And let tu not barely fay yve are [inner s , but let tu reckon jfp mr finsfarticU' larly , Idee not bid thee to betray thy [elf e openly v nor to accnfe th'y^ feljeto other , but to follow, the faying of the Prsiphfit , Lay open th^) rvayes before the Lord, confe^ethyfins.hefore>GM^tter thy fins wpfh tfayer before the true ludge^ not remembring thsm'^'tth the tengut^ but Vcith the confidence^ and then indeed maifi thou hope tofinde mer^ cle. Ihzt Sctmon o{ Chryfiofiomesy teaehethnotoircly whatjsto be thought of reckoning up of finnes , but doth alfo very wifely joyne contritionand faith together^ as; they are joyncd by us.. Firft , he will have us acknowledge our (ins unfainedly^ and ab-. horre them from our hearts: In the next place he teach(tth,fO' adde thereunto prayer and faith , which may alfure us that we are; forgiven. Elfe where he faith, Acknorfledge thy fins that thou maifi do them arotiy. If thou art afhamedtofioe^ thy fins to any man, then-, utter them every day in thy heart : I fay noty goe, confeffe. thy fins to thy feHorv fiervMt , that may ufbraid thee^ith them , but confeffe themuy.t0 God that is able to cure them. The Glofle upon the De- crcestouching Penance , thcj.diftiniS:. granteth thatfOonfeffimn^ ^as ordijined of the Churchy a>idk np^c/ummand^d in the Scrifft turesof the Old and New Tefiament r of the fame judgement arc many of the Dodors. W herefore our ; udgem.'ent touch- ing the Dodcinc of Confeflion is neither new nor without reafon. / ' Laftly , there is moft need of all that the godly fiiouldbcad- ot?3ll puniilimenrs in.this life , as. Davids tion. Mamfes , and many others were punillied , and we teach tloat thefe pLinifbments may be mkigated by good works , and the whole praiflice of repentance, as Baul declareth, If^'ke wonltL^udgt enrfeives Tve^ouldnothe wdged'ofihe Lordi And repentance de- ferved (that k\ obtained) that Go«l (iioiiki- alter his: purpofej touching tfeedeftrudrion of Ninwev-"^ ^'^Vl W^ Vi\o ^^ii >,,j ^i^-,;. Thus whereas before the difputations \k?e© intricateand end* Jef^C) and full of groffe opinions , now that dbdrinebeing purged i§ delivered to the people fo , as it may be underftood , and^vaile much unto godlinefle. We doe flfili hold and let forth the true parts of Repentance, Contrition, Faith, Abfolutbn ,. RemilTion of (innes. Amendment of the whole life, iviitigation of pre- fentpuniQiraieRtJs: and Wcaue^n good hope, that the godly will not onely not reprehendi any thing in this piaee, but alfo wiU give them thanks which have purged this point of Chriftian de- fine , which is requifite and profitable in all Churches to be exr founded moft plainly and fetout mod: clearely. Chrift faith, that the j^hgels in heave» doe reioyce yvhenfoever they fee a finner recent ^ And therefore the Churches , and the Angels themfelves doe rcr joycc at the pure dodrine of repentance thus fet down. Out of Repent Ance^ and the Converfton of matte i jj Out of the Confefsion */ S a X Q N i E . Hitherto pruine the fir ft tveo lafi daufes of the third Ay tide. Of the rcmiflion of finncs, &c. which are thw fet dovpne. IT is moft certalne, that the preaching of Repentance doth per- taine to all men, and accufc all men. So alfo the promifc is gc- nerall, and oftereth remifTion of fins to all, according to thofc ge- nerall fpeeches, Matth. 1 1 . Con^e tuntot me allje that labour ^^d are heav'ie loaden , and I mllrefrejhyou. Alfo, loh. 3 . That every one.j "gphichbeleevethinhijnjhouldmtferijh. Rom. lO. Every one that, beleeveth in him, [hall not be confounded, Againe, He that ii Lord over all) is rich unto all, thi.it caU on him. Rom. 1 1 . The Lordhath ^ftt up all under dlfobedimce , that he might have mercie on ally Let every one comprife himf Ife in this generall promife, and not give himlelfc to diftriift, but let them ftrivc, that they may affent to the word of God, and obey the holy Ghoft, and dcfirc that they may be helped, as it is faid, Luk. 1 1 . Hovp much more Vcill he give the hom iy Ghofi to.thcm that atke it ? Of Repentance, Artie. l6. BY the mercie of God this part of Dodrine fpecially is decla- red in our Churches with great perfpicuitie, whereas the Sen- tcntiaries have wrapped it in moft intricate Labyrinthcs. Firft, we doe openly condemne the Catharans, and the Novatians, who feigned that neither the eledl could fall into (ins againft their con- fciencc , neither that they who had fallen after their amendment were to be received againe , and our confutations of thefe ftiries are extant. Neither doe we goe about to make brawlings about the word Repentance : if any man like it better , let him ufe the word Converjion, which word the Prophets alfo have often ufcd. "Moreover, we doe willingly retaine the word {Contrition, and we iay that the firft part of K epentance or Converfion is Contrition, which is , truely to tremble through the knowledge of the wrath of God againft fins , and to be fouy that we have oftcnded God : and we lay , that there muH needs be fome fuch great feare and griefs in thofe that are converted, and that they doe not repent, which rcmainc fecurc and without griefe,is it is faid, 2 Cor. 7. Te firr otr-edt a repentance : And, E^ech.20, And je Jhnll mif ike your I 3 felves 154 ^^^ eighth SeBhn, felves in your o^nJight^Andack*?o^ledge jour [elves to he "Worthy of fftnijhment AnddiftruUion. And the(e true griefesare a Feeling of the wrathof God , as is declared more at large in another place. But here we reproove our adverfaries , who feigns that Contri- tion doth defence Remidion of finnes, and that Contrition muft be fufficient. In either crrour there be great myfts. For rcmiflion is given freely for the Mediatours fake , and what con- trition can be fufficient? Yea rather the more the forrowincrea- feth without aflurance of mercie, fo much the more mens hearts doe flie from Cjod , and no creature is able to fuftaine the great- neffeof thisforrow, whereof J'/<9'fpeaketh, Chap. 58. Hs brake all my bones y like a Lion. But thoic idle dreames of the Writers doc declare , that they lead a carelefl'e life , and that they arc un- skilfuUinthc Gofpel. Now thefe true forrowsdoearit^, when the finnc of the contempt of the Son of God (as is declared in the Gofpel ) is reprooved The jpirit JhMl reproove the reorldof fin , becAtife thej beleeve not in me. loh. i^.'And by the voice of the Morall law odier (ins are reprooved , as Ptiuliaiih , Rom. ^, By the Uw came the kno'^ledge of fin. As touching private c .nf eilion , to be made unto the Paflours, *Looke the we affirmc, that th^ ceremonie of * private abfolution is to be re- firft obft rvat. tained in the C hurcb, and we doe conRantly retaine it for many upoa this con- ^veightic caufes : yet withall we doe teach , that men muft nei- ' ° "' ther command, nor reo,uire the recitall of offences in that private talkcj becaufe that recitall of oftcnces is neither commanded of God , nor a thing polTiblc , and it makcth godly, mindes to doubts and it maketh faiih faint. And this we doc much more reprehend, that in thedo-flrineof Repentance or Converlion , our adveriaries doe no where make mention of juftifying faith, (whereof wc have fpoken before): by which alone RemilTion of fins is truely received , the heart is lifted up even when it hath a feeling ot the wrath of oodjand we are freed from the lorrows of hell, as it is written. Rom. 5. Bein^ ififiifed by faith, ife have peace. Without this ^aith forro ws are no better then the repentance of •J'*»/, fudas, Oreftes, zndhchhks, as are mentioned in Tragedies. Neither doc our adveriaries teach the Gofpel, but the Law, and humane traditions, either omitting this faithjor eife fighting againfl it. But feeing that in a true Con- vernon there muft be thefe changes, a mortihcation, and a quick- swings as it isil^id, Rm, 6, .and in divecs other placesj^ for dodrines fake ofRepentdmej andtheConverjionofman. ii$ fake we doe doc divide convcrfion or repentance into three parta into contrition, faith, and new obedience ; thefe things doth true converfion comprehend, asthe voice of God ^ and the, true expe- rience of the Church doe declare. Yet doe we not make conten- tion either about the manner of fpeaking > or about the number of the parts, but we wiili that all men may fee thofe things which arc neceflarj . And it \s moft neceflary for the Church , that there fhould be a true , plaine , and mcft cleare do(5lrine , touching the whole converfion , which alfo is very often repeated in thofe Ser- mons, which are letdown in the Scriptures, and that with great .perfpicuitie, and without any intricate labyrinthes , as the Baftifl and Chrift fay, Mattk. 3 . Refent, and beleeve the Gojptl. Againe, Repent : Behold the Lambeof God, thattaheth a^ajthefinmsof thenar Id. And Pf^«/faith,i?iith. Therefore it is neceflary, that in the do- 6hinc of converfion or repentance there lliould mention be made of faith. Neither is it fufficient that our ad verfaries lay, that they alfo doe fpeake of faith , and that faith doth goe before repen- tance. For they fpeake of the dodrine of knowledge, I beleeve the lorgivencfle offinnes, to wit, that they be forgiven to others, even as the devils doc know the Creed : but the Golpel doth re- quire this true faith , which is an aflurance of the mercie of Go<^ promifed for the Sonne of God his lake , and rcfting in the Sonne of God, which laith, 1 beleeve that remiffion of fins is given un- to me alfo , and that freely , not for any Contrition , not for any my merits, but for the Sonne of God , who by the infinite good- nelTe and wifdome of the Godhead is appointed a Mediatour and Redeemer. I know that the commandement of God is immuta- ble, fo that every one may determine in thefe griefes, that he is affuredly received into favour for Chrift his fake. This is the pro- « per voice of the Gofpel : this Decree is brought by the Son out of the bofome of the eternall Father, and is fcaled up by his blood and rclurredion. Not to affent to this Will and Decree, is to con- temnetheSonof God: and concerning this finne , John faith, cap. 3. He that beleeveth not the Sonne ^ the vorath of Godabideth on him. But he that beleeveth that his fins be forgiven for this Me- diatours fake , he doth now certainly receive remiflion of his lins for Chrift his fake , which is effcduallinhim , and quickneth 14 and jiiS The eighth Se^iien, anifan^tt^ethhimbyhis holy Spirit: and being now reconciled, he is undoubtedly accoiinted /ufl:, for cbeMediatours fake, and fs heire of etemall life. Either to ©mit, or to corrupt,or to diflike this •ncccffary comf ort,touching conver(!on,is as much as manifeflly to extinguidn the^ofpcl. '^s touching this faith ,abfo]ution ought both to admonilh us, and 2M0 to confirme it, as David was conhrmed, when he hearicrva3ioai> it fo increafed, that fafts and forbearing the company of man or wife, were injoyncd for many ) eeres. When thefe burthens h;id increafed too much, the ^ifhops did rcleafe them againe, -and this relcarcpffuch rites was called /W»/^(?Krd'. • ■ Tlie Mbaks not confidering the hi>l:ory of thefcthings, feigned ^at eterhall purtili:^.ment might 'be recompenfed by the punillv mentsofPurgatorie, or other punithmcnts ofthislife : and they added, thafSatisfa^ions were in/oyned of the Church, that rhofe puniflYments might be mitigated; and that fatisfadlions (hould bj workes not due by the law of God. We rej id thefe Monkii'h fables, which even they the mlelves doe not underftanci, and we rctaine moft fure rules, to wit. That eternal! piini(^ments are re- mitted together with the fault, for the Sonne his fake, not for any our fatisfadions* according to that-wtiich is written in Hofia^ Chap.l % O death, I^illhe thy death .• O beU^ I will be thy. deflrH" 'ftion.AliOjRofv.'^. 'Bem^-mfi tfied by fair h^rve have peficr. beccndiy we fay that thefe not due workes, whereof thefe menipeake, arc notany wordiipofGod, or fatisfaftions, but that they doe per- taine to tliis fayinc, 2i4atth. 1 5. They doe in vaine worfhip me with f^fC(?w/».Wi'»*?^/jrf7»f«.And^ certainly thcpoweror the keies ^. , , hathnocommandem.ent to iF>joyneAUch4)uni(liments. Alfowe fif,h*^''bf j"^. feare that this applying -of indulgences, by which tl^ 'Pope doth u .on this cofv^ apply the merits of Saints unto^others, is but counterfeit, and that {efllon. fflcindiilgences in times part Were nodiing elle, but ^. r^'lsa/ing of the 'CJ^'aftons, which did nothing appertains to f ho(e latistadiionsi whereof the Monks. dofpcake. Now it is another thinsg to Ipeakc of fatisfac^icn which is due, as of the reftoring of theft, of that which hath beene gotten by ufury, of another mans wife, or his;goodna:ne. ■ • Tlifs?rcftitutJonis3Workefhatisdae,'pertaining tonewdbe* diencc, as P<«?-'/ faith, £phef^. Let him that lyath fiehie jUMeix more. He that withholdeth another mans wife, hath neithercon- trition, faithj nor new obedience^ Neither are^tiiecoflii^ande- mentsi- ijg The eighth SeBkn. »" tnents of God, touching due fatisfaftion, which we fay ought to be made, to be mingled with thofe trifling fongs ofPopiili fatis- fadions. Alfo this wc conf cflc, that in this life many horrible pu- nidimcnts are fprcad over the Church, over Empires, and over families, forcertaiinefinncsof manymen, yea even of the Eled : asthefeditionthat was raifed up againftD^wW, did not lightly afflid: that whole civill regiment, aad many holy families. There- fore we diftinguifh betwixt eternall punilliment,and the punifh» mcntofthislif«: and we fay, that eternall punilliment is remit- ted onely for the Sonne of God his fake, when we are jiiftified and quickncd by faith. * Lot ke ine And albeit that even temporall puni{hments * are chiefly mit- e Oblervat. tigatcd for the Sonne of God his fake, who is the harbour for the Church, becaufethisvveake nature cannot fufl:ainethc greatneflc of the wrath of God, 2S Daniel pv2iycthi Chap. g. For the Lords Jake heare thou m , and have an eye unto our helpe^^c. Yet we teach this alfo, that even for the very converfions fake our puni{h- ments are mittigated,becaufcthat in the Saints the legall promi- fcs being added to their workes, are not without their cfTed;, but have their rewards : Such a promife is this : Give^andit fijali he gi- 'ven unto you. And when P^»/ faith, i Cor.\ i. If^e^ouldiudge cur felvesy Veejhouldnot be iudged, he Ipeaketh of whole repen- tance, not of thofe moft vaine fliadowes, which they reafon to prevailc, although a man fall againc into mortall linne. And in this matter they have devifed ne w jugling tricks. They confefle that thefe fatisfadions are not recompences, but they f^y, that we muft admit fuch fatisfadions as chaftifementSj asP«»/dothpu- niflithe Corinthian, i Qor. 5. That chafl:ifement was excommu- nication : and we confcfle, that they which are guilcie of manifeft hainous deedes, are by a lawfull judgement and order to be ex- communicated, neither is juft excommunication a vaine light- ning. Yet notwithftanding the power of the Church doth not puniili by corporall force, as by prifon, or by hunger, but it doth * Lon.kc t! c ojiely * pronounce this fentcnce; 1 lie prifon and common punifh* y^Q'of r vat. ments doe pertaine to civill governours- But fuch is the fro ward- nefle of certain men,that although they fee themfelves convinced ■by the evidence of truth, yet they feeke to dally by fophiftrie, left if they fhould give place, they fhould be thought to have betrayed iheirfellowes. God, which feeth the heart, knowcth, that with a Xiraple indevour, we have fought out the truth. Out of Repemance, and the Cwverfion of Man^ i j ^ Of Repntance. Chap. 12. SEcing that we murtalwaies acknowledge our finnes, and be- Iceve that they be forgiven for Chrift his fake, we thinke it al- fo incete that men {Lould alwaiesrepent in this life. But divers men expound repentance diverfly; commonly they make three parts of- repentance, Contrition, Confellion, and Satisfa(5Hon. We will feverally and briefly runne over thefe parts, that we may de- clare what we may thinke to be in deed Catholike and Apofto*» like, in this dodtine of Repentance. Of Contrition. Chap. 15. '\J"VT^ call Contrition a feeling of the wrath of God, or a for- row and great feare of the mind, raifed by the knowledge of the greatnefl'of ©nr (innes, and the weightineffc of the wrath of God. And we thinke that luch a Contrition, as the law of ( jod doth ufe to ftirre up in man, is neceflarily required in true repen- tance : but to teach that it doth delerve remiflion of finnes, or that it is a purging of our finnes before God, we thinke in con- trary to the rtpoftolikc do(^ine. God truely doth not defpifea contrite and an humble heart, as the Pfalme{z\t\^', but therefore he doth not dclpiie it, becaufe the Scnne of God our Lord lelus Chrift tookc upon him a contrite and humble heart, by vvhofc^ onely contrition and humihation cur lins are purged before God, and his wrath is pacified. Now we are- made partakers of this pacification, when with a contrite and humble heart we beleeve, that Icfus Chrift alone is our reconciler with the heavenly Father, Ifa. 5?. He'^a^W'oundedforeurtranfgreJfionSy he wds breksnfcr our intquittes: the chufUferruent of o»r peace rt>ai upon him^and by his gripes Wf Are healed, i lohn 2 . He is the propitiation for our finnes. Ad:. 10. To him give all the Prophets witnejfe^ that through hia name, all that beleeve in him^ jhallhave remijfion of their finnes. Al- fo the examples of Cain, Efau, aS"W, j^W<« Ifcarioth, and fuch like^ s4o *rht eighth SeBion* like, doe witncffc, that Contrition is not a merit of remirfion of (innes. For thefe men, although they had fo great contrition, that it Teemed to them a thing more tolerable to difpatch their life ei- ther by ftrangling, orbythEuttingth.emfelvesin withfwords, ra- ther then to fuffer thofe horrible grief es, yet could they not obtain rcmiffion oftheir finnes. The G/?]]^ faith, If we kek^narronvly to the matter^ remifsion ofjlnnes is to be attributed to the grace of God, not to contrition. Wherefore we confeife, that to Iliew forth true \ repentance, Contrition is neceflarie, yet not to this end, that it i3iould be any merit or purging of our finncs beforeGod: but that man, acknowledging the greatnefle of his finnes, fhould be ftirred up to iceke rcmiiHon of (innes and falvation, in the onelyfree elemencie and. mercy of Godi and that onely for lefus Chriftour Lord bis fakc,.by faith. Of Cenfeffion. Chap. 14- THcy call Confelfion a reckoning up of finncs before a Pricfi:" Therefore fuch confeffion as hath hitherto beeneufed, as it Vv^as not commanded of God, ioit is manifeft, that the ancient Church did not cxad it with luch fe vcritic, as if it had beene ne-^ eeiTary to obtaine eternall falvation. And it is not to be doubted^ but that we ought to acknowledge our f elves before God to be finners, and to confefls our iinncs to God, yea the ancient [ cck- fiafticali writers doe grant, that it is fi'ee for any one to reckon up his (innes before man, unleilc jn fome matter man be o&mded, and the truth,by la wfulland divine callingjis to be declared, c /;r^r Chyyfoji. m cap.fofiome faith, I will thee, mt to bewraic thjfelfe ofenly, nor to accufe I i, ad H^b. i'l ^Jjyjelfe before others : but I counfell thee to obey the, Prophet, fav- inV-fu'l MiCt *^v^' ^^^^ ^^y '^'^ ^^^" ^^^ Lord. And againe, If thou art affamtd rcre. ' ' to /hew thj Jim to any man^ then uiter them every day *» thi)ie heart; AmnU. lib. Ijajmtygoe^ ronfejfe th, jinnss, to thyfello'^fervantj that may up' io, Confijf. braide thee with them, butconfcjfe them unto God,that is able to cure "-^" ^ ' them. Now alfhoLigh thele words of Chryfoflome uie to be ex- pouaded of thofe (inr, which were beforcconfeflcdtoa Priefi>, yet is this expofition a manifeft WKcfling of the meaning ofChry.'- foflome : and the Eeccleliafticall; biftory doth evidently witnefie, that thiscuftome of confefling unto a Frieft was abrog|ited in tlie Church oi Conftantinople. C^tigu^lrw faith, WhMha,v(.I.to,dQt, ■with of Repent ance^ and the Canverjion of Mdn. 14 j •vithttu», that they Jhotddhean my confefsions, m if the j ^ere abC* Ambr. fupey to heale aU my grief es ?They are very cnrioHt to k»ow aH other mans Luc. de pet^.iten, life^ and very Jletxi in Amending of their orone, tArf^ofe faith , Peter ^ifi.'i- C^p- '?«» farrowed and wept , becaafe he erred as mxn : I doe not fi/ide whM he '^^^' faidj Ikn9)X' that he wept : Ireade ofhu teares>jld»e not reade »fhii fkti^faBion, And although* we thinke, that it -is not neceffary toialvatioii, * Lonke the to reckon up finnes before a Pricft, and that it is not any nuirit of tirft oWir- ofremiflionoflinnes: yet we endevour, that a gencrall confeiKi- ^at. upon this on of finnes» fo farre as may be, and is la wfull, may be retained in "'"^f^*^^*^"' . our Churches, and that for twocaulcs. One is,that by this private conference , the ignorant may be admonillicd and inllrud"ed ii\ oeceffarie matters : the other, that by this occaiion, the Gofpel of Chrifrjtouching^remilTionotiinneSjmay be heard privately (tlis which Gofpel is the true Key of the Kingdomc of heaven, and {ibfolution from finne)and that by the hearing of the Gofpcl,or ab- folution,faith may be either conceived, or conriraied. For,that we may truely repent, we thinke that there is nothing more fure and certaine, then that of neceflitie we iliould have faith, to this end, thatastheGolpel of Chrift doth declare it, fo we may afiurediy beleeve that our finnes are freely pardoned and forgiven for our Lordlefus Chrift his fake We are not ignorant, if we looke unto our workes, that we arc not onely to doubt,but alio to difpaire of our (alvationjbecaufe that our workes, feeme they never fo good, cannot ftand upright be- fore the fevere tribunall feate of God. t^either are we ignorant, that fome doubt of the mercy and favour of God doth alwaies cleave to our flelli, fo long as we live in the body. But feeing that God deth promife unto us his free mercy for Chrift his Sonnes fake, and doth require ofns, that we doe obediently beleeve the tiofpel of his Sonne, he therewith al(o doth require, that we mortifie the doubting of the flefh, and have a moft allured aifiance iuhismcrcy, that we doe not accufe bis promife to be fo full of deceit, as we are of doubting. And that we may conceive iure confidence therein, he placed our falvation, not in the merits of ourrighteoufnefTc, which isunperfed, but onely in the merits of his Sonne our Lord lefus thrift : whofe righteoufnefle, as it is xnoft perfed, fo itis moft firmc and conftant in the judgement of God, cJif^^r. I. Repentjandlele€V£the(jojpel, He commandeth US to beleeve the Gofpel, which declare th unto us the certaine favour:- 142 >■ ■ The eighth SeSrion,-'-^ ^? ■ <,-' fevour of God toward us for Chrift his fake : AcYefbre he will not have us to doubt of his favour to wards us, but that we may con- ceive fure confidence thereof, John 6. Thii M theWorhe of God, that ye beleeve in hlm,^hom the Father hathfent, Jf God require of us, that we beleeve in his Sonne, certainely he would notbave us to doubt, but that we put our fure confidence in him, f^wj.i.If any of you "^ant wifedome^Uthim aske of him vfhidh giveth it^namem hfofGod^^hogiveth, Ifajf to attmen "Without exception^ undup^ braideth not^ And it Jhall be given him, bm let him mke -with confi- l?i^latx&p^%. dence nothing doubting. Hilarie faith. The kj>igdome of heaven, '^hich the Trophetsforefietved^Xohufreached^andoHrLordprofeffed to confifl in himfelfe, he trill have m to hope for, "^'ithout any donbt* ing of a rvavering \^'ilL Other'^ife iu fit f cation through faith is none In Mamell cap. ^^ ^^^ if faith it fe If e be douhtfull. And ^Hgufline taith, He that ^" doth de(paire of the pardon ofhiiftnnse^ doth deny that God is merci- full : hs that doth dijlrufl oft he mercy of God, doth great imurie nn- to God, and, oi much /u in him lyeth, he denieth thjt Godhotth lave, S'i.r iui Tom- trtuh, and po'^'er, in which things all onr hope doth confifl. Sixtm fex. Tom. I. [^iih^ He Vchich is doubtfnll in faith^is an it7f dell. Wherefore WC Epijl.sixii f j^ini^g that they, who counfell us to doubt of the favour of God towards us, doe not onely diiient irom the true judgement of the Catholike Church, but alfo provide very ill for the Salvation of the <. hurch. Of SiatisfaSlion. Chap. 15. AS touching fatisfadiion, we beleeve andconfeffe, that the alene paffion and death of the onely begotten Sonne of pdd our Lord lefus C hrift, is a fatisbdion for our finnes, and t'hat this fatisfaftion of Chrift is oft'ered and applied to us by the miniftery ot the Gofpcl, and is received of us by faith. We alfo confefle that after the fatisfacflion of Chrift is applied, und by fsith received, wc ought neceflarily to doe thofe good workes, which God hath commanded: not that by them we might purge our (innes^efore God, but that we might bring forth good fruits of repentance, and teftifieour thankefulnefle. For, as touching prayer, fafting; giving of almes, and fuch like workes, we thinks that they are di- ligently to be performed, yet that they have a farre other ufc, then that they fhould by their merits either fttisfie .God foirour (inncS or apply unto us the merite of CbrT-ift.^ Out -O0:kiii. s of Eepentdiice,.4nd thz Cenvtrfion ofMdn* 141 (^ta^ of the Confjjton of S,M E:Y:E. L-AfW;©. Of Confejfion. Chap. 20. Eeing that true confcflion of (innes, and fnch as hath it begin- ning from godlinefle, caii be performed ofno man,, whom his repentance and true forrow of aiinde dothjiot force thereunto, it cannot be wreGed out by, any precept. - Wherefore neither Chrift hiniielfe, noi'the Apollks vyoutd command it. Therefore for this caufe our Preachers doe exhort men to confeflb their fins, andtherewithalltheyrhevv what fruit, arifcth hereof, that a man fhouldfecretlyfeeke for comfort, counlel!, do(5l:rine, inftruilion, and at the hands of a man, that is a Chri(Han,and wife, yet by com- mandement they, urge no man^, but doe rather affirme, that iuch commandementsdoefiindergodlincfle. For that coniHtution of confelTing finnesunto a Prieft, hatti d^ven,inlini^^ Ibules unto de • ip:ration, and is fubjed: to fo man/ corruptions, thatoflateit ought to have beene abro^ted ,, ar^d without doubt had beene abrogated , if the governours of Churches of late time had burned v;ith fo great a zeale to remove away ftumbiing blocks, as in times paO: Nejior'm the BiQiop of Conlbntinoplc did bume, who did utterly aboliin fecret confcITIon in his Church, becaufe that a certaine noble woman, going often to Church, under pretence of doing the workes of repentance, was de- prehended to have to doe with a Deacon. Infinitfuch undoub- ted finnes Were committed every where. MureoYer the Ponti- iBcall hwes doe require that the hearer an i"jidge ofconfeflioa Tliouldbefoh9lyilearnedjwife,mercifuiI,that a man can hardly finde out,elpccially among tbofe that are coirtmonly appointed to heareconfclTions, to whom he might ccnfeife himielfe.And now the Schbolemen doe thinke, that it is better to confefle finnes to a l3ieman,then to that Fried:, by whom we may not looks to be edified in godlinefle.This is the fummc : TbatconfelTicnbringeth more hurt then profit, which found repentance and true Tor- tow of the minde for finnes committed doth not wring out. Thcrefoie feeing this is the gift of God alone, that we may re- pent of out finnes, and be truely forrowiuU for that wee have ' ' '■''''' ' ■ ■ finnedj 144 ^^^ nimh SeBion, finned, nothing, tbat mayturne to falvation, can be done in this matter bycotfimandements, as hath hitherto bcene too toomani- fed even by experience. THE NINTH SECTION. OF IVSTIFICATION BY FAITH, AND OF GOOD Workes, and their Rewards. «.om.8. Afts 13, Deut. ».5. ■ The Utter Confefdon c/ H e I V,e t I a« Of the true Juflification of the faith fulL Chap. 15. ^O ; uftifie, in the Apoftles difputation touching /u- ' ftification, doth fignifie to remit finnes , to abf olve from the fault, and the punishment thereof, to re- ceive into favour, to pronounce a man /ufl-. For , , _ ,., ., the Apoftlc faith to the Romans, God i4 he that <«- ftifeth ,who is he th.it can condemne ? Where to juftifTc,and to con- dcmne,areoppofed. Andintlic /^^Jofthe Apoftlcs, the Apo- ftlc faith, Through Chrift is preached unto youforghene^e offmnes^ Andfrom all things (from which ye could not be iujiijied by the lav? ofiJMofes) by htm, every one that belceveth, u iujiified. For in the Law alfo.and in the Prophets wc readc: thiXlfacontroverJiewere rifen among fl any, and they came to iudgement^ the ludge Jhsuld iudge them that t^^ iujlife the rlghteoHij and make Toickedy orcon^ demne the tvick^d. And in the 5 . Chapter of Ipiiuh, Woe t^ them which iufiifie the wck^dfor rewards. Vqw it is 030(1 certaine, that we are all by nature fmners, and before tfee ludgement ieat of Godconvided ofungodlincfie, and guilty of death. But wc arc i;Uftificd,that is,acquittcd from ftnnc and death by God the Tudge, through of luftffcathn hy Fnithy and of good workes, 14 j- through the grace of Chrift alone, and not by any refpedl or merit of ours. For what is more plaine then that which Fml faith ? All have finned, and are dejiitute of the glory of God, andaremfiified^om.i, freely by hisgracey through the redemption which is in Chriji lefm. For Chrifttooke upon himfelfe and bare the finnes of the world, and did fatisfie the /uftice of God. God therefore is mercifull un- to our finnes for Chrift alone that fufFered and rofe againe, and doth not impute them unto us- But heimputcth thejufticeof Chrift unto us for our owe: fo that now we arc notonely cleanfed j q^^^ , from finne, and purged, and holy, but alfo indued with the rightc- oufncfleofChrift, yea and acquitted from finne, death and con- demnation : finally, we are righteous, and heires of eternall life. Kom.4. Tofpeake properly then, it is God alone that juftificithus, and that onely for Chrift, by not imputing unto us our finnes, but im- puting Chrifts rightcoufneflc unto us But becaufe we doe receive this /uftification, not by any works, but by faith in the mercy of C-od and in Chrift: therefore we teach and beleeve with the Apoftle that finncfuU man is /unified onely by faith in Chrift, not by the law, or by any workes* For the Apo- ftle faith, We conclude that mm « iufttfed by faith without the Rom, 5. rporkes of the la^. If Abraham -woi iuftified by roorkes, he hath R'^"^-^» thereof to boaft, but not Veith God. For ^hat faith the Scripture ? ^"'^ ^ * Abraham beleeved God, and it "Was imputed to him for righteouf- nefe. But to him thatVcorketh not, but beleevethinhiffithatiufii" feth the ungodly , hit faith ii counted for righteoujnejfe. And againe, Touarefaved by grace through faith, and that not of your f elves: Eph.i, it is the gift of God. Not byrvorkfs, left any might have caufe to hoaji, &c. Therefore becaufe faith doth apprehend Chrift our rigteoufnefle, and doth attribute all to the praifc of God in Chrift, in this relpedt juftification is attributed to faith chiefly becaufe of \ Chrift, \vhom it receiveth, and not becaufe it is a worke of ours. ; For it is the gift of God. Now» that we doe receive Chrift by faith, the Lordllie weth at large, John 6. where he putteth eating for beleeving, and beleeving for eating. For as by eating we re- ceive meate, fo by beleeving we are made partakers of Chrift. Therefore we doe not part the benefit of juftification, giving part to the grace of God or to Chrift, and a part to our felves, our charitie, workes, or merit, but v/e doe attribute it wholly to the praife of God in Chrift, and that through faith. Moreover, our charitie and our works cannot pleafe God if they be done of fuch K as i4<^ Tfie ninth SeBion. are not juft : wherefore we muft firft be juft, before we can love or doe any jufl: workes. We arc made juft (as we havefaid)? through faith in Chrift, by the meere grace of God, who doth not impute unto us our finnes, butimputeth unto us the righteouf- neflfe of Chrift, yea and our faith in Chrift he imputeth for righte- oufnelfe unto us. Moreover the Apoftle doth plainly derive love 1 Tim. ii from faith, faying, The end of the commAndement it love, proceeding from a fure heart ^a good confcience^ and a faith nnfeigned. Where- fore in this matter we fpeakc not of a fained, vaine, or dead faith, but of a lively»^& quickning faith, which for Chrift(who islife.and givethlife) whom it apprehendetb, both is indeed,, and is io cal- led, a lively faith, and doth prove it felfe to be lively, by lively workes. And therefore fames doth fpeake nothing contrary to this our dodrinc, for he fpeakcth of a vaine and dead faith, which certain bragged of, but had not Chrifl: living within them by faith. lamts 1. And James aUo faith, that 'Workes doe iujiifi?, yet he is not contra- rie to Saint Fau/ (for then he were to be rejected) but he fhe w- cth that nAbraham did Ihew his lively and juli ikying fiith by. workes. And lo doe all the godly, who y et trull; in L hrill: alone ^ . ^ J . not to their owne workes. for the Apollle faid againe, / /;w, * * horcbeit not I.^ hut Chrifl liveth in me. "Bnt the life Vi>hich novo [ live in the fle/hy J live through the faith of the Sonne ofGpd, Vohd iovedme, andgave himfelfefor me. I doe not dejpife the grace of God, for if righteoHfne^'e bee hj the Uw , then Chriji died in^ vdine^ ^c. Of faith and good workes : Of their reward and of mans merit* Chap. i6. CHriftian faith is not an opinion or humane petfwafion; but a furetruft, and an evident and ftcadfaft affentof themindc,. to be briefc, a mofi: fure comprchenfion of the truth of God fet forth in the Scriptures and in the Apoftles Creede, yea and of God himfelfc, the chiefc blefledneffe, and efpccially of Gods pro- mifc, and of Chrift, who is the confummation of all the promifes. And this faith is the meere gift ofGodjbecaufe God alone of his power doth give it to his elcd, according to raealure, and that when, to whom,, and how much he will, and that by his holy (pi- tit, through the meanqs of preaching the Gofpel, and offaithfull pra) erv 6f lufttf.cAtion bj Fmh^dndofgood workes, 147 ^ayer. This faitr. hath^fo her incrcafes, which unleflb they were like wife given of God, the Apoftle would never have faid, Z W i,uke , ,^ increafe our faith. Now all thelb things which we have (aid hi- therto of taith, the Apoftles taught them before us, even as we fetthem down 5 : for /'^«/faith. Faith is the ground or fare fuh- j^^j,^ . • ft^er.ce of things hofeedfor, and the evidence or cleare and ccrtaine comfrehenfion of things -^hich are not feene. And againc he faith, that all the promifes of God in Chrifi are yea^ and in Chrifi are A' * Cor. il wen. And the fame Apoftle faith to the Philippans, that it "^asgi^ venthem to htleeve in Chrifi. Andaifo, God doth diftrihute unto '^'^'^'^t' tvery mm a meafure of faith. And againr, All men have not faith^ * Thefl. % and anialldoeHotohejtheGnjpel. Beiides Lnke witneffethandfaitl^ ^* jismany asvpereordMnedtolife^ beleeved. And therefore he alio c^z-h'i.'3X^,The faith of Gods eleB, Andagaine, Faith comethbj ASsij. hearings and hearing by the vford of God. And in another place he ^''"^•*°' willetn men to pray for faith. And the fame alfocalleth faith, P&w- ^. erfHUjOndthatJhewethitfelfebyiove. This faith doth pacifie the Oalat ?. confcience, and doth open unto us a free acceflc unto God, that with confidence we may come unto him, and may obtaine at his hands wbatfoever is profitable and neceflaric. The fame faith doth kcepe us in our dutie which we owe to God and to our neigh- bour, and doth fortifie our patience in adverfitie, it doth frame and make a true confclTion, and (in a word) it doth bring forth good fruit of all forts, and good workes which are good indeed doe proceeds from a lively faith, by the holy Ghoft, and are done of the faithfuU according to the will or rule of Gods word. Tor P^/tfr the Apoftle laiih. Therefore giving all diligence thenunto^ toy ne moreover vertuevrith J our faith, andwithvtrtue kno^ledgCf and with kpovfle.^ge ti mperance^ Qrc. It was faid before that the law of God, which is the will of God, did preicribe un'ous the prtterne of good workes. And the Apoftle faith, Th}i take nothing to himfelfej^xcept it he given him front above. Alfb our Lord ChriU himfelfe idkh^No man comet h to me excep the Fa^ John e^ K 4 ther^ jfz The nimh Se^kn, therwhkhftnt me^doe draw him, hicixh9le vnorld. And againe to the Hebrews, JVearefahttifiedhtheoferittgoftheh" Ay of lefm Chrifi once made : and a little after he addeth, rvith one only ojfering hath heconj'ecrattdfor ever them that are fdn5iified, namely of- God , by the fpirit of God. Therefore all firinersand fuch as are penitent ought to flie incontinently through their whole life to our Lord lefus Chrift alone, for remilTion of their fins, and every faving grac:, according to that in the Epiflle to the tH tb. 4. Hebrews , Seeing that me have a great high Prieft , even lefm the Son of God, '^'hich is entered into heaven, let pu holdfafi this trofef' pon, which is concerning Chrift our Lord; and ftraight-way he addeth, Let m therefore goe boldly unto the throne ofqrace, that Vfff ■may receive mercie , and finde grace to helpe in time of need, Al(b 3oh.7. Chrift himfelfe aying out, laith. He that thirfieth, let himcome to me, and drtnke. And in another place. He that cotneth unto me^Jhall Job. 6» riot hunger: and he that beleeveth in me^Jhall never thirjl.^ov; they that attaine to this juftiiication by Chrift our Lord , are taught, to take unto thcmfelves true and afliired comfort, out of this grace and bouritifi.of God , to enjoy a good and quiet confcience before God , to be certainc of their owne falvation , and to have it con- firmed to them by this means, that feeing they are here the fuis of God, they ftiall alfo after death in the refurredion be made Rom. 8. heires. In the meane time they ought both to dcfire to be brought •G il.*4.' to this, that they may receive the fruit ofpcrfed: falvation, and al- fo cheercfuly to iookeforit, with that confidence, according to J.h. f. .the promife of the Lord.that fuch lliall not come into judgement, but that by making away they have already pafTed from death in- to life. Of all other points of doclrine we account this the chief- eft and weightieft, as that wherein tlie fummeof the Gofpell .dothconfift, Chriftianitie is founded , and the precious and moft noble treafure of eternall falvation , and the onely and lively com- fort proceeding from God , is comprehended. Therefore herein our Preachers doe labour efpccially , that they may well inftrucl the hearts of men in this point of doctrine, and lofbwit, that it may take dcepe root. Of goods vforkj.anda Chrifi ian life. C h a p . 7, IN the feveath place we teach, that they, whoare made righ- teous and acceptable to God, by faith alone in Chrift lefus, and ihat by the grace of God without any merits., ought in the whole i courfe of Inll:-fi cation by FaU h, and of good works . i/ y courfe of their life that followeth both altogether /oyntly, andc- vcry one particularly ,according as the order,conditicn,ag?,& place of every one doth require , to performe and excrcife thole good ' works, and holy adlions, which are commanded of God, even as God GommandeihjWhen he faith, Teuch them to obferve ^11 things, which I have commanded joh. Now thefe good works or holy anions, are notccrtaine affedions devifedof fielTi and biood (for fuch the Lord forbiddeth) but they are expreffely fliewed and propounded unto us by thefpiritof God, to doe the which God/ doth binde us , the rule and chiefe fqaare whereof God himfelfe is in his word: forfohe faith by the Prophet, Walkenot in the , cpmmandements of your Fathers^and keeps no; their iHdg(m:nts,and ^^^"^* "■ defile not your [elves Vcith their Idols : I am lehovdh yeur Gody XViilksye in my commandements , andkeefemy iudgements , and doe them. Like wife Chrift (2^\i\\,T^ach them thofe things ^ Vehich I have ^i ^j^ i f , commnndedyou. Therefore thetencommandements, and love, which by faith worketh righteoufnefle, on the right hand, and on the left hard, as well toward God as toward our n.ighbour, is a.certaine fummc, a mod Ilreight fquare, and a moil: artificiall fhaping or defcription of all good works. Now an example of this fquare is the moft holy lite of Chrift, whereof he himfelfe (aith, Learne of me, hecatije I am meeke and humble in he Art. And M 3 1 1 h . i g what other thing would he teach, by uttering thofe eight fen- tcnces of happinefle, then to fhe w what manner of life the true Mi:h. 5. . children ofGod ought to :ead,and what be the works which God . hath commanded. Therefore according to thefe things they teach with allcars and diligence , touching the difference, whichistobcknowne. and kept , betwixt thole works which are devifcd and taught of menj& thofe which are commanded of God. Thofe works whichv are commanded of God, ought not to be intermitted for humane traditions. For Chrift doth grievoufly reprehend this in them that doeotherwire,andin the Ph2nicQS,izy'm^yPVhydoejoutranfore(fe,. .,.. ^ the csmmandtments of God for your traatttons f And agame , In vaine doe they W'orjhip me, feeing they doe only teach the commander * Loakc ihe ^ ments of men. * But fuch works as are taught of men, what llie w f^- ^ ctkr» foever they have even of goodneffe , are in no cafe to be fo highly vi?. upon this cfteemed, as thofe, v;hichare commanded of God. Yea, to fay ^^;"-f*'j^^"« fomewhat more,if they be not of faith, but co.itrary to faith, they in 'jp ' 3i:e of no value at all, but are an abomination and filthinefle before ifa.i.Sc 6^, the i^S Thenimh Se^'iQn, the face of Gocl. Now all good works are dcvidcd, firft, gem- rally, into thofe which pertaine to all true Chriftians, according to the unitic of faith and Catholike falvation. Secondly, they are dc- vidcd particularly into thofe which are proper to the order , age, and place of every mair, as the holy Ghofl: doth feverally teach El- ders, Mafters, the common fort; Parents, children, the married, the unmarried , and every one , what be their proper bonds and works. Moreover , in this point men arc diligently taught to know, how, and wherein good works doe pleafe God. Truely, they pleafe God no other wife, then in the onely name of our Lord Icfus Chrift , in whofe name, they ought to be don-r to the glory of God, according to the doiflrine of P^»/ the Apofl:Ie,whofpcak-. eth thus , W'hatfoever yon doe in "Words and in deeds , doe all in the Cole fl. 3. ^^^^^ ^j ^^y i^^Yd lefM. And the Lord himfelfe faith, withom me joh?i'/.°* yecandcenothingy that is, nothing that may pleafe God, and be for your falvation. Now to doe good works in the name of Chrifl, is to doc them, in a lively faith in him, whereby we arc /uftincd, and in love , which is poured forth info our hearts by the holy Ghoft, in fuch fort that God loveth us, and weagainelovehim' and our neighbour. For the holy Ghoft doth fandlifie, moove, and kindle the hearts of them which arc jtiftilied , to doe thdeholy Joh. r4. aftions; as the Lord faith, iy^/^^/i^^f»>/(?/3r.' And the ApoftlejT'^f I Joh. ». amynt'mg of Godteachethyon. Thcfe two. Faith and Love,are the fountaine and fquareof all vertues and good works, according to T Tim.i. ^^ teftimony of the Apoftle, The end of the commandeynent is Hcb. J !. love out of a f fire heart anda goodconfcience j, and faith notfcirrned. I Cor. 1 1 . And againe, Without faith it is not pffible tofleafe God. k\{o^ith' out love nothing doth profit a man. in the next place they teach, why and to what purpofe or end, fach good works, as pertaine to Chriftian godlinefie, ought to be done, to wit, not in this refped-, that men by thcfe works fhould obtaine juftification or falvation, and remifTionof (ins (for Chrift L uk 1 7 l^^^'^ ' Whei/i fou have done all thofe things -which were commanded yoH,fay,rp&areun^ro^tablefervants. Alio Paul [^kh, Not for the" Tk. J . wftki of righteeufrfejfe, "Which We have done, but through his mercie hathhe favedus : wherewith ail tbofe words of D.w/V agree, when he prsyeth , Lord enter not into iudgement ^Hth thj fervant, becdufe that irt thy fight fliafl rto fleflj living keiufiifed.) But Chri- rtians are to exercile themfelves in good works , for thefe caufeS following. Firft, that by this meane,they may proove dnd declare their mil, 14 J, of luftification hy Faith, and of gcod works» ify their faith,and by thcfc works be known to be true Chri[lians,that is, the lively members and followers of Chrift, whereof our Lord iaith, Every tree ii krKnvn bj hit oVc» fiuits. Indeed good works Lu!c. 4. arc afl'orcd arguments,and figns and teftimonieSjand exerciies of a lively faithjcven of that faith , which lyeth liid in tlic heart, and to be iliort^of ihc true fruit thereof and fuch asis acceptable to God . Faul iaith , Chrtfi Uveth in me : for in that I now live in tkeflejh. Gal. u I live by faith in the Sonne of God. And truely it cannot be other- wiie, but that as finne doth bring forth death. To faith, and juPcifi- cation, which arilcth thereout , doth bring forth life, inwardly in the fpirit, and cnitwardiy m the works of charitie. Secondly, we muft therefore doe good works , that Chrif^ians might confirms and build up their Election and Vocation in themfelves , and pre-^ fervc it* by taking heed that they fall notinmortallfinnes, even *Lookc rhe as Saint Peter teachetb, among other things writing thus ; ivbere^ i. obftrvatioa fore brethren endeavour rather to make your EleHicn and Vocat ion ^P'^^^^^^^'^^z fftre, or to cmprme it. And how this may be done^ he doth bnefe- ^ J °"* ly declare a little before. Therefore giving all diligence ther^nnti^, ioyne vertue vithyottr faith: and uith vertue^ knopcledae: and vithkrio^^ ledge t temperance: and with temperance, patience : and ^'it h patience y godlinefe: and with godlinejfe, brotherly kjjidnejfe: aud^ith brotherly k^dneffe, love. For if thefe things be among yon, and abound in jody they will make you that you neither fjaJl be idle, nor unfmtfnk in the knowledge of our Lordlefm Chrifl. In which place i>aint Peter doth evidently fticw , that we muft endeavour to exercifc our lelves in j'good works , * firft for this caufe , left * Lonke the that the grace of faith and a good confcicncc , which we have, 5 Ot>ftrvat. be cither loft or dchied>hut that it may rather be prefervfcd. {V all beholding, 06 in a mirrour, the glory of the Lord ^ith open face, fire changed into the Jame Image from glory to glory • that is. We behold Chrift , who is the Image and glory of the Father , and herein .j-jg 'The mn.'. rcBiori, • bereia We indeavour, that wc may be conformed f o tfie likeneflc of this Image, by the holy Ghoft , which doth kir^.die ps there- unto, till this Image dolh get her perfv '"t'cn, b)- the blefled rcfur- redion. Thirdly, we muftdoe and cxercii- our /elves in good workjjas well for the promifes of this life, as a io for the re ^vard of eternall life (whereof mention is made very often and at large in the holy Scripture) and that by faith in Chrift we may have a more eahe entrance to. the attaining of thofc rewards , and to the % '?tt. s. ctcmall kingdome of heaven, as Saint Peter tcRifyeth, hyin^y If ye doe thefe thingSy ye ftjall never fall. For by thii mednes an em rift£ jhall be mir.ifired unto jon abundAntly into the everUfikg kinv- dome of onr Lord and Saviour lefm Chrifi. Biitchiefeiy wemuft doe the works of mcrcie, whereby we may benefit our neigh- bour, whereby we provide and doe for him and whereof he ftand- xthinnced, fuchasthefebe, togivcalmes, to villte the ficke, to have a care of them» ^ r to be at hand to doe them fervice, to teach the fimplc , by counfell and labour to hclpe others , to pardon of^ fences , and iuch like , which all have the promifes of the bounti- fulnefle of God and of rewards , to doe the which Chnflour Lord doth exhort in thefe words , Be ye mere full , asyonr Father L uk. d. is mercifuU. Give^ and it jhall he given to you -^ forgive, and ye Jhall Luk 14- he forgiven, Andinanoihcr ^[ice,Sell.your goods, *t»d give a/mes: fet you bagSf Vrhich w^xe not old, a t re A/me that ca^,not faile in eavcKf where no theefe commc^ h , and^kre the moth corrupt eth nothing. Alfo, IVhen thou makefl afeafty call th.foorejhe maimed, Luk. 14. the larne^ the blind, andthcufifJ: bi blejfed, becaufc they cannot re- commence thee, for thoujhalt be recommenced fit the rcfum llion oj the iuft, AKc.I'^asanhungrcd, Ithirfied, I r.as aftranger .naked^ Jicke,and in frifon y and in all things ys helped me by yourfervice : Verily I fay unto you , In as much as you dd thefe things to one of the leafl of my brethren , ye did them to me. (fome hther , ye blef- fedof my Father , inherit the kingditne prepared for yon before the beginning cf the world. By thelciris plaine an J manifeft, that thofe wo: ks which proceed of faith, doe pleafe God, and are re- warded with aboundant grace, to wit, witf 1 the recompencc of all kindeof good things and bieflings, both in this life, and in the life to. come. Laftly» this dodrine is fhut up with this or fuch like exhorta- tion, that no man can perfedlj' doe thefe works of Cliriflian god- liac&, or fully performs the commandcmentsof God , and that no of J lift I fie at ion hy Fahh, and of gcoci. , v o / « ; . if ?■ no man can be found , who doth not faile in any part hereof, and who is cleane without finne : as it is written , There is not a mt:m ^ . ^^.^ , fo tuft on the earth^ho doth uprightlj^opidnotjime: and that there- "^ *" fore every one ought to Iceke and to enjoy his perfedicn , in Chrill leliis, in his grace, precious facrifice and merit , by that- faith and As juilificationjwhiich confilleth in the remilTion of Iinsy if he will not have any thing in himlelf that may deferve damna- tion. For Chrift alone is our perfection , and fulhlling of the law, our life and righteoufneife, and whofoever receive him by faith, and doc wholly trufl: in him , thcfe men have all their iins wailied away in the blood of Chrift , fo that afterward they need not to feare condemnation. For thus Paul writeth. Therefore mn> there is no condemnation to them vphich are in Chrift lef-us , %hkh doe not ^-ora.8. ■walh^ according to theftefo^ bttt according to the jpirit. For to theic men Chrift ii made of Codmfdome^ righteoHJnejfe^ fan^ificatlon,-'^ ^°^*' '» andredemption. Out of the T K E u c a Confeffie». WE beleevethat our whole righteoulnede doth confift fn^^^,^^^ j,^ the remiiHonof our fins, which is alfo, as David doth te- ftifie, oiir.op.cly ielicitie. Therefore we doe utterly re;c(ft all c- ther means, whereby men doe thinke that they may be jaftiricd before God^and caftingaway all opinion of vertues and merits, wc doe Pitogeiher reft in the onely obedience of lefus Chrift, which is imputed to us, both that all our fins may be:Covered,and alfo that we m?'} obtaine grace be fore God. To conclude, we beleevethat we cannot iinde where to reft our felves, if we decline never fc little from this foundation, but rather we iliallbe alwaies unquiet, becaule we are not at peace with Cjod , till We be certainly per- fwadedjthat vvc are loved in lefus Chrift,becaule that in our felves we are worthy of all hatred Webwleevethat by faith alone we are made partakers ef this ^/i^^.io. righteoufneffe, as it is written, He fuffered, topurchale falvation - for us. That v^hofocver heleeveth in hint Jhould not feriftj. And this is therefore done,b;caufe thepromifes of life offered to us in him, arc then applyed to oar ufc, and made eftedluall to us , when we doe imbrace them,nothing doubting but that we iliali enjoy thole things, wh.-reof the Lord by hisown^ mouth hath aflbred us. Therefore that righteoufncffe, which we obtaine by faith,doth de- pend upon free promifes , whereby the Lord doth declare and te- itifiej that we are beloved of him. We i^# The ninth Se6iton. Artie. II. Wc belccve , that by the fccrct grace of the holy Ghoft wc are indued with the light of faith , which is the free gift of God, and is proper to them alone , to whom it pleafed God to give if, fo that the faithhill have not whereof to boaft in themfelves, fee- ing that rather they are more then double debters , bccaufe they are preferred before others. And further we beleeve, that faith is given to the Eled:, not that they might once onely be brought in- to the right way, but rather that they may gee forward therein unto the end , becaufe that as the beginning \s of God , fo is alfo the accomplifhment. AnU, %%, ^^ beleeve , that we , who by nature are the fervants of fin, are regenerated unto a new life, by meanes of this fame faith; and by this faith we receive grace to live holil^ , whiles we doc imbrace that Evangeticall promife , that the Lord will give unto us the holy Ghoft. Therefore it is fo farre, that faith rtiould ex- tinguifh the defirc to live well and holily , that it doth rather increafe and kindle it in us: whereupon good workes doe nc- ceiTarily follow. Neverthelefle , although God, that he may folly lave us, doe regenerate us, and frame us toa holy life; yet weconfeflc, that the good works which we doe, by the dire-» aion of his fpirit, arc not fo regarded of God, as that we /hould be juftified thereby , or deferve to be counted the children of God , becaufe we fliould waver with a perpetuall doubting and trembling , unleflc wc rtiould relie upon that onely fatisfadion, whereby Chrift Icfus bath difclwged us of the punifliment or forfeit for our offence. Oat efthe^ E N• Obfervac. touching rcmiflion of finnes. When as the Gofoell doth convict "P"" ^^^^ ^°"" us of finne , our hearts thereby terrified muft firmely belecve, ^^^' that there is given unto us freely for Chrifts fake , that remiflion of finnes, and juftification by faith, by the which we muft belecve and confeffc, that thefe things are given us for Chrifts fake , who was made an oblationjand hath appeafcd the Fathers wrath for us. Notwiihftanding therefore that the Gofpell doe require repen- tance, yet to»the end that the remiUlon of our finnes may be cer- tain and undoubtcdjit teachethjus^that remiffion is given us freely, that is, that it doth not depend upon the condition of our owne worthinefle, nor is given for any works that went before, nor foe the worthinefle of luch as follow after. For then ftiouid remilTion he uncertaine , if wc fhould thinke , that then onely, we obtainc L 2 remiffion 164 The ninth SiBion. remilTion of fins , when wehaddefcrvcditbyourformerwOTfcj,; or when our repentance were well worthy ot it. 1^'or in true ter-' rours the confcicncc findethno workc which it mayoppofea- gsinft Gods wrath, but Chrifl; is given and Tet forth unto us to apr peafe the wrath of God. This honour rnufl: not bs transferred" from Chrift unto our own works, therefore Patd faith, Te arefi- vedfieely. Againe, Therefore hy faith,-freely ,that thepromifeml^h he/ftre, that is, tbusfliriUremillionbccertaine, when we know that it dependcth not upon the condition of cur unwo'thincffes but is given us for Chrift his fike. 1 his is a lur^ and neceflary com- fort to all godly mindes , that are terrified with the conicience of their lins. And thusdoe the holy fathers teach , and'tbereisaao- table fentence in ?aint ATnbreJe^ worthy the rem -' iT)brin2-,'n t hcfe words. Thu God hath appiinted, t hut he '^hich helfeveth in rhrift- piould hef^vedf rpithem any ^orkf , iy faith alone ^ "ncelvin a- the re^ miffion of finnes. Now this yNOX'^Faith , doth not onely (jgnific a knowledge of iheHiftoryof ChriO:, but alio to beleeve andaP- fent unto this ptomife , that \s proper unto the Gofpel , wherein remiffion of finnes, jjftification, and life everlaflingare promifed unto us for Chrifts lake. For this promife alfo doth pertaine to the Hiftory of Chnft, even as in the Creed unto the Hiilory is added this article , I beleeve the remijftoK of fins And unto this one the other articles J touching the Hiftory of Chrift, arc to be referred» For the benefit is the end of the Hiftorie : therefore did Chrift faffer, and rife again, th:;t for him remiilion of fins nnd evcrJaJline life might be given unto us. Thefe things are found thmAn another Editwn,i .driis>^,. A lib tiiey teach , that men caiwctbe jirlifi^d before God by jf\ their owne power , merits , or works > but are /aftified for Chrifts fake through faith, when they beleeve that they are recei'- ved unto favour, and their fins forgiven through Cbriil,who by his death hath fatisfied for our fins. This faith doth God impute for righteoufnefl'e unto them before himfelfe, Rom.^. and 4. 4nk.%, For this caufe Chrift hath appointed the minifterie of teaching the Gofpel, which prcacheth repentance and remiffion of fins: and the preaching of either of thcfe is general! , and layeth open thefinncsof all mens andpromifeth remiflion of them unto all that beleeve : for to the end that remiffion might not be doubt- ed ofjbut tliat all diftrefted mindes might know that they ought to bdeeve,. of lujlificatim h^ Faith^andgoodivorket, i4f bcleeve, that rcmiflion of finnes is undoubtedly granted unto them for Chrift , and not for their ownc merits or worth?nsfiffhe/av>:i4 iave out of ^f tire heart, aHdagMdconfcieHce^andfaUhmfained. Bat they which obey their wicked lufts, and doc ^^^ainft their owns confcicnces, * living in mortall (inne , doe neither retaine or hold * looke the the rigkeoufncfle ot faith,* nor the righteoufhefle of good wctks, j . & 4 Obfcr^ according to the faying o^Pttal, thsj which doe fuch things (hall not tnioy the ki^gdowe of^oU. ~'^ Thefe things tire thai Jet down in another Bdition, •- , ,^\.,;^ Alio they teach , that this faith muft bring forth good feity, and thatitisbehoovefuUtp doe the good works command- ed of God, becaufe God rc<|uireth them, and not upon any hope to merit jaftification by them. For rcmiflion of fins and /uftification is apprehended by faith, as Chrift himfelfe witneffeth , whenjotc have done aU thefe things, faj/^'^e are unprofitable fervants _xhz fame ^fo doe the ancient Writers of the Church teach , for viAmhrofi faith : This is ordained ofGody that he that beleeveth^in Chrifi-, JJjall befavedf ypithont i^ork^, bj faith alone , freely , receiving rfjmffion \ffjifs, :;j ;,,,.;;,.■: :/:. 1. . ' ^- Hitherto alfo appertaineth the 20 fz^rtfcle, JT^ Hat our adverfarics doe accufe us to ncgleft the do(flrinc of r X good works, it is a manifcft flander ; for the books ofour Di- jvlnes are extant, wherein they doe godly and profitably teach, ^touching good works , what works in every calling doe pleafe tj od. And whereas in mofl: Churches there hath been of a long time no word of the moft fpeciall works, namely ,of the exercifes of faith, and of the praifeof fuch works aspertaine toCivill go- vernment, but for the moft par t they fpent all their Sermons in fctting forth praifes of humane traditions,and in coai mending ho- ly daycs,faftings, the ftate of Monks. Fraternities,Pilgrimages,thc worlliip of Saints,Rofiers,and other unprofitable fervices,Qow by the gocdnes of God theChurch is reclaimed unto the true & pro- fitable worfliip,w*^^ God doth require & approove.The Prophets do bewail this calamity of the Church in very vehement Sermons, that the true worlliip of God being forgotten, mens ceremonies and a wicked confidence in ceremonies fliould h^ve place the chiefe in the Church. From this error they revoke the Church L 4 onto j^8 xt^mtyiy^^i ninth Se^m. unto the tttie fcf vlte of God, and unto good wbrks in deed. What <:an be more forceably fpoken,thcn that Sermon in the 49 Pfalme. ThtG^^f ij&dii ft&e Lord hath jpok^n, and calledthe tarth. Kete God-dotbpr€ath unto all mankinde, condemning their vains triift Ift fcdFemonies > and propoundeth another worfhip, giving them T^diiHooJ * ^teuttderftaftdjthstfe is highly difpleaied with them, that in the "t'.'^ ■ f^Cto<^ doe fo pr-eafeh^ceremomes V ^ •Wor(hipof God. Manyfoch like Sermons arc to be found in the Prophets, as £/hjf, C'^p. 5 8. and Zachar: j. cMich^ih. Cap. 6. and Hofea cryeth ^ / ^iflhave jmrcle, and not facri;^ce : and the knotv- iedge of i3hd, rtithir therihurnto'jferings. And It is not unknown .that many godly ai^i Icatti^d mfen , ha\i: heretofore greatly wiili- cd, that the dodrme touching the comfort of c6nrciences,and the ■cHfK^ence of works, had been more found. For both thefe parts "iDfdodt-ihe ought alwaiestobe in the Church J namely J thebbf- |)d[ of faith , for to inftrud and comfbrt ti^c confcienccs , and alio thcido^he that-dedareth which are^ood works indeed, and 'Which4sthe true Woriliipof God. As for our adverlariss, feeing ■^battlrey doecomijt the'doi^rineof firt1i,-t!Tey cannot a'ifoord 'JSiyieimdCdimfert^tlTe confciences : fot they wilHiave men to flandin doubt of the remiflion of their (ins and yet afterwards they bid men feeke remiflion of Jln by their own works : they devife Monkeries; and other fuch wcrf: fecond tabie'can- iiot pleafe God, Except faith goe with them. Tor this obedience that is but begun , and is unperfed , doth plealfe God for Chrift fake alone. Thirdly , they debafe the works commanded of God^ and prefcrre mans traditions farre before them. Ihefethey fct out with moft goodly titles, calling them the perfecHon of the Gofpel : but in the meane time , they fpeake fo coldly of the dutic of a mans calling , of magiftracie , of marriage , &c. that tnany grave men have doubted, whether thefe ftates of life did Uleafe God or no. Therefore our Preachers have with great care andlludie fet forth thefebothkindesof doflrine , teaching the Gofpel concerning faith , and adjoyning therewith a pure and baiy4odttine ©f works» pn'i tviLi^i d:>-i-.'.r-) oni-j/iov'^i V-jj 10..^ f^ o:n«j I" -■ of luflif canon hj Faith^ and of good works . j6^ Of Faith, FTrft, touching Faith and luftification, they teach thus. ChriH: hath fitly fet dovvnc the iumme of the Gofpci, when as in the laft d^Lftke be Avilleth, that repentance andremijjion offinnes jhonU he preached in hti nam\ Forthe Ijofpel * rq>!Ovethand convm- ♦ Looke the cethiiniics. and requireth repentance, and wichaliof^erethremif- ?. obfrrvarion iion offinnes for Chriil: fake,freeiy, not for our ovvne worthineflV. "F^" thiscon- Andlike2stl-»e preaching of repentance is generally even To the ''^ "°"* promife of grace is gcnerall, and vvil eth all men to bcleeve and to icceiv-e the benefit of Chriil-, asChrifthifinfelfeiaitb, Comeunte me till ytthAt aye lade». And Saint Paul faith, He is richtorpardi aH^&c, Albeit therefore that contrition inrepentance be necelfa- ry,yet we muft know that remilllonofiins was given unto us,ini that we are ma Je juff of unjuft, that is, reconciled or acceptable, and the fonnes of God, freely, for Chrilf, and not for the worthi- n:fleof our Contrition, or of any other workes, which either goe before, or follow after- But this fame benefit mud: be received by faith, wlicreby we muftbeleeve thatremifiSon of finnesand juili- fkation is given us for thrifts fake. 7 his knowledge and judge- ment bringeth fure consolation unto troubled mindes, and how neceflary it is for the Church, confciences that have had expe- rience can eafily judge. There is in it no abfurditie, no difficul- tie, no craftie deceit. * Here needeth no diiputations ofprede- * Looks the ftination, cr fiich like : for the promife is generall, and detradeth fixL cbft r- nothing from good workes, yea rather it doth ftirre up men unto ^ar. upon this faith and unto true good workes. For rem ififiion offinnes is remo- '^^ '^°"' ved from our workes, and attributed unto mercy, that it might be an undoubted benefit, not that we fliould be idle, but much more, that we ("hou d know how greatly our obedience doth pkafe God even in this our fo great infirmitie. Now for any man to delpife or miflike this doih-ine, whereby both the honour of Chrifi: is extolled, and moft f \veet and iure comfort offered unto ^odly mindes, and which containeth the true knowledge ofGods inercy, and bringeth forth the true wcrdiipof God and eternail iife, it is more then PharifaicaU blindnclTe- Before time when as this dodrine was not fet forth, many fear- ful! confciences afTaied to eafe themfelves by wc rkes, fome fled jto a monalticall . if e, others did chafe out other workes, whereby to merit rcauiTion of finnes apd juCtification, Bat there is no furs COfH- 170 The ninth ScBm* comfort without this dodlrine of the Gofpel, which wiileth men tobeleeve, thatremiflionoffinnesand jaftification are freely gi- ven unto us for Chrifts lake, and this whole do(3:rine is appointed f )r the true conflicl of a terrified confcience. But we wiil addc fome tcftimonies, Pauly Rom. ?. TVe «n* iujiijicd freelf^ by hit ffrace^throughredempicnthat u in (^hriji Jefm yVfhom God hath fet forth, to be a reconciliation through faith in hij blond. R.om.4. But to him that ^orkfth not, bm beleeveth in hint that inftifeth the ftn- tTodiy,hii faith is counted for righteofijnejfe. r.phef. 2. By grace ye .arefavedjthroughfalth,notofyoHrfeives, In thcfe and iuch like ■I'entcnces Paul doth plainly teach, that remiffion of finnes and ju- (lification are given us freeiy, and not for the worthineffe of our workes. And in the 4 . to the Romans^ he difputeth at large, why this confolation is need full for us, tor if the promifc did depend upon the worthineiTe ofour works,it iliould be nncertain.Wherc- fore to the end that we may have lure and firme comfort againft the feares of (inne.and death, and that our faith may ftand falf, it is needfuU, that it leane onely upon the mercy of God,and not upon our worihineffe. There fore i'^A'/ faith, Therefore it ii byfaith,ac- -cording to grace, tLittheproml/e might be fure. For our workes cannot be let againft the judgement of ( od, accordmg to that laying, If thou markeft our i-AiqmtieSy^ho Jh.ill indttre />. And there- fere Chrift is given for a Mediatour to us, and this honour is not to be transferred unto our workes. When therefore we doe fay, that "^e areiuflifiedby fatth,\\Q doe not meane,that we are juft for the worthinefle of that vcrtuej but this is our meaning, that we doe obtainercmiflionoflinnes, and imputation of righteoufneflc by mercy Iliewcd us for Chrifls fake. But now this mercy cannot be received, but by faith. And J^rffV^ doth not here iignifie onely a knowledge of the hiftory, but it fignifieth a beliefe of the promife of mercy which is granted us through our Mediatour Chrift lefus. And feeing that faith is in this fort underftood of a confidence or truft of mercy. Saint Paul^ and Szmt fames, doe not dilagree. For where fames faith. The Devils beleeve, and tremble, he fpeakcth of an hiltoricallfaith,noW this faith doth not juPriHe. For the wicked and the devill are cun- •ning in the hiftoric. But Papil vvhen he laith, ¥aith is reckonedfor righteoufneffhy he fpeaketh of a trufl: and confidence of mercy ,pro- ■mifed for Chrifts lake ; and his meaning is,that men are pronoun- ced righteous, tliat is reconciled through mercy promifed for Chrifts of laflificatio» ^y Fmh, and of good rvorks . 271, Chrifts fake, whom we muft receive by faith. Now this novel- tic of this figurative fpcech of Saint P the very hypocrites can performe them. But rlieie ferviccs and duties belong onely to the true Church, of I ufl I fie at ion by Faith, and ofgdod works. 173 Church, true repentance, feare,raith,prayer,&c. Thefe kindesof woriliip are efpecially required,and comiiiended in the Scripture, JP/4/. 49. O'^er unto Cod the facrifice ofprmfe : and, Call on mt In the dn-j oftrotthle^ q-c. Thirdly, by this faith, which doth comfort the heart f nrepci v taiKC. we doe receive the spirit of God, who is given us to be our govsrnour and helper, that we fliould reiift fume and the de- vill, and more and more acknowledge oqr ownc weakenefle. and that the knowledge andfeareof God, and faith may increafe in us •• wherefore our obedience to God and a new life ought to in- creafe in us, as Saint Fatd faith, l^ye mnji be renewed to the k^orv- hdgeofGod^ that the new law may be wrought in us, and his J mage, which hath created us, be rene wed ,&c. Pourthly, we teach alio how this ooodience, which is bat be- gunneoneiy and not perfed, doth pleaie Go.i. For in this ki great infirmitie, and uncleannefle of nature, the Saints doe not fa- tisfiethelawofGod. The faithful therefore have need of com- fort, that they may know how their (lender and imperfe . Ynto iy6 The ninth SeSiion. Vntothefc gifts we muftjoync our exercife which may both preferve the fame, and dcfcrve an increafe of them : according to the faying : To him that hath, JhAll be given. And it is notably faid diz/ingu^ine^ Love deferveth an increafe of love, to wit,wlien it is put in ule. For good workcs have rewards, as in this life, fo alio after this life, in the evcrlafting life. Now becaufe that the Church in this life is fubjedl to the crofle, and to the death of the body , therefore many rewards arc deferred untill the life to come, which though it be undoubtedly beftowed through mercy for Chrifts fake on thofe which are /uftified by the faith of Chrift, yet there is alfo a rewarding of good workes, according to that laying. Tour rewai^d is great It heaven. By this it is evident, that the dodtrine of good workes, is through the goodneflc of God purely and truely taught in our Churches. How full of obfcuritie and confufion the do«^rine of good workes was in former times, all godly mindes know full well. There was none that put men in minde of the difference oFmans traditions and the law of God : none that taught, how good workes did pleafe Go J, in this fb great infinnitie of ours. To be briefe, there was not one v/ord of faith, which is moft necdfull unto remiflton of finnes. But now that thefe maters be opened and unfolded, godly confciences lay- holdofcomfort,andof certaine hope of falvation, and doe Under-- ftand which is the true worfliip and fervice of God, and know 1 lOw it plealeth C od, and how it doth merit at his handj. Thi^ article is thitifet do\\>ne In another Edition. >Vr Divines are falfly accufed to forbid good workes. For their writings extant upon the tenne Commandementf, and others of the like argument,doe beare witnefTcjthatthey have to good purpofe taught,conceming every kinde.of life and duties, what trades of life, and what workes in every Calling doe plealc' God. Of which things Preachers in former times taught little or nothing, onely they did urge certain childiHi and needlelTe works. As keeping of holy daycs, let falls, fraternities, pilgrimages, wor- iHpping of Saints, Friaries, Monkeries, and fuch trafli : whereof our adverfaries having had warning, rfiey doe now forget them, anddoeniJt preach lb concerning thefe unprofitable workes, as> they were. wont toe vc>- tat. Gent, and elfe where; for thus he faith in the forenamed place. The redemption made by the blood of Chrifl rponldbe offmall account y and the prerogAtlve of mans Vforkes^onld not five place to 4he mercy of Godjif the iufiification "^hich ii by grace, ^eredueto merits going before,fo as it Jhould not be the liber alitie of the giver , but the Voages or hire oft he labourer» This dodrine though it be contemned of the unskilfull fort, yet the godly and fearefuli conlcience doth finde by experiencct that it bringcth very great comfort : becaufe that the confcicnees onnot be quieted by any workes, but by faith alone, when as they bcleeve aflut edly, that CJbd is appeafed towards them fbrChrifts iake, as Pd, and the promifc of the Redeemer. ■ 'The fame thing alio hapned after Mofeshis time. Ceremonies were appointed for this eaufe, tiiat they I'hould isc admonitions oftheKfediatourjoftheDodrineofFaith, of free remilTion for «"he Mediatours fake. But they feigned that finnes were forgiven for tbofe rites asd facrifices, and by this fuperftition they heaped dp Sacrifices, and forgot the Mediitoirr, and wens without true CDmfort,and without true invocation.The fame thing hapned alfo afterthc Apofttcstffl»e caufe, or the merit of the f( e- raiflionoffinnes, neither doth the perfon pleafe Cjod m regard of them, according to that (hying, No man living fljall be iuflifi d in thyjight : but the perfon hath remiiTion . an J doth certainly pieaf e God, byreafonoftheMcdiatour, who muO; be apprehended by faith, as it is faid, Eph. g. B) ^hor/t w^ have baldyiejfa^and e>ftrmc9 ■with confidenccyby faith in him. Thiswhob do6lrine is more ma- nifeft in the true converlion and daily invocation of the godlv When we are in great feareby the knowledge of the wrath of Godjthis one comfort is firme and fure, to fiie to the Son of Godi who faith, Come H»to me allye that labour, and are laden.and 1 mU refrejhyou. AlCOi^s I live,Iwill not the death of a jinner ,bm that he returne and live. Alfo, Grace aboundcthmore thenflnne. In tliele griefes if man be taught, to doubt oftheVemiflionoffinnes, for- row will have the upper hand, and then follow moft grievous murmurings againft God,and defperarion^and ercrn^ll death : Dut ifman be taught, thatdoubting is to be overcome by faith, theil iliall he underftand, that by thewor d F.tith, is not onely (ignirted the knowledge of the ftoryt be (liail know that confidence doth relie upon the only Mediator, and be rn.iii perceive what is mr:ant by thele words,Vreely,for the Mediatours fake,rcmilTion is recei- ved by faith alone,and io the'peribn is made acceptable. ' fThis wradling hath at ali times inftruded fome. For though Origen, and m.any other writers and lententiaries have brought forth an impure kind of dodrine,yet in Jugtiftine & certain others we reade divers ientences which ilicw, that they alfo received comfort out of thefe true fountains. Who although they do fome- ^ time Ipeak unproperly^or things unlike, bccaule they were lome- wl:wt negligent in fpeaking, yet we may eafily gather what '""■ "ii.-, : was. of I It fi I fie at ion by Fah h, aadofg^od works . 1 8 y was thdr perpetual! /udgcmcnt, if we will judge aright. Augu- fiine upon the VJi^L 3 i • laith. who he happte ? not they in whom Cod Jhallxotfiniie Jim , jor thofe hcfinc^Mt h In all men. For all wen bavg finned^ v.ndare dtjliiute of the glory of God. Therefore iffinnes be joHndin iillme/'^ ir ii evident , that none are happi<- , but thofe whofe- fyis be forgiven. This therefore the A fofile didthmcomr>iend: A- brahafii beleeved God, and it V^'os imputed to him for ri^hteoufnejfe. Here certainly ^ugnJli-.-.e by faith doth underiland confidence, which receivcth reivjiiTfionoi fins; and that which is (aid in G"^- nefiSy and in Paulyhc do*h altogether iinderdand it, as we expound it. And in his booke , Dejplritu & Ittcra, he faith, Ey the law v;e feare CJod^ andby f^ith we file to hn imrcie, Bernards his Sermon, F>e Annunclatlor.e^ faith, Firjlofallitiinecejfarie to btleeve, that thou Ciinji not have remijfion of fins , but by the mcrcie of God. But addc thereunto , that thou ry>iii[i alfo hcleeve th^s , thzt through him thy fins be forgiven thee. This 16 the "^citneffe which th; holy Ghojl doth give in our hsart ^fijing: Thy fiyis be forgiven thee. Forfo doth the Apoflethinkf, ih^t a wan isiufilfiedfieeij/ by faith. In this lentence the Judgement of our Churches is piainl)' and properly alleadged, and like teftimonies are to be found in this author. Ba^ fil alio, in his Sermon of Humiiitie doih moll properly {etfortli our judgement, in thefe words : He that reloyceth, let him reioyce in the Lord , f<^ying , that Chfiji is made unto us of God, ^ifdome^ andrighteoufnejfe^ andfan^ification, and re demotion, as it is writ - ten.. He that rcioyceth , let him reioyce in the Lord. Ft,r this is per^ feEl andfoundreioycing in God, when as a man u not puffed up b/ reafon of his o1V« righteoufn£[fe , but doth ticknowkdge th(tt hedcth fiand in need of the true righteoufneffe, and. that he i-s iufiified by faith alone in Qhrifi. Seeing therefore that by this which hath been fpoken it is ma- nifert , what the word Faith doth lignifie, in thispropolition, We are iuftified by Faith y hereupon we may underftand , that the Monks and others doe dangeroufly erre, which doe command thofe that are turned to God, to doii)t whether they doepleafj God. This common errour of doubting is evidently refuted by thefc words, Bcingiufiif,ed by Faith ^ V^'e have peace ^ith God. A\iOfTherefore! it may be underftood, that we doe judlyfinde fault with that Synecdoche, whereby fome interpret VhhIs words after this fort, We are infUpd hj Falthy that i5, by a formed love, as they fpeake. For they underftand the word faith onely of know- ledge, and thinke that this is the meaning; fVe are iufiifUdhy FAith, that is, we are prepared to righteoufnefle, that is, to other vcrtues, to wit, obedience and fulfilling of the Law. So this is it onely which they iay. Man is righteous for his own vertu:s: then they will him to doubt, whether he be furnillied with thofchar bits, whereof they fpeake. Now we have declared before, that by Faith is figoified a con- fidence refting in the Sonne of God the Reconciler, for whom we are received, and doe pteafe God , not for our vertues, or ful- filling the La .v. And feeing that in this fame comfort, the confi- dence,, whereby vvedoc reft in the Sonne of God, is indeed a motion, kindled by the holy Ghoft, whereby the heart is quicken» cd,and freed from eternall death, this convcrfion h called regene- ration, loh. I . Exctft a mun be borne againe of watery and of thefpi^ rit. And now man is made indeed the dwelling place of God, who is effcduall in him : as it is faid, loh 14. Ifanj man lovemey he "^ill kee^e m) ^'ord^ and my Father will love him.and^e VciU come unto him , and \vill dwell with him. The eternall Father and the Son,by the holy Gholl, doe quicken our hearts, when as by faith they are railed up in this com fort, as P^hI faith Ga/at. 3. That ye might receive thepromfe ofihejpirit through faith. Therefore we doe not fpeake of an idle faith; and the unskilfuU are deceived, whiles they thinke th^tremifHon ot linnes doth happen to fuch as are idleywithoat a certain motion of the minde, without wraft- ling, and without a feeling comfort of in true griefes ? in that age i88 The ninth SeBi^rJ. age wl'.idi now is able to underftand the voice of dodrine, accor- ding to that faying > Faith cometh by hearing , and hearing by the ypord of God. And bccaufe that in repentance we propound com- * Locke tVie f*^^^ ^^"^0 t^i" confcience, * we doe not here adde queftions of 6. obrefv.-.ric n predeflination or of eledion, but we had all Readers to the word upon the Au- of God, and exhort them to learne the will of God out of his gufi confvfl. ^ord, as the eternall Father by expreiTe voice commanded.Hif^rtf' him. Let them not looke for other revelations. Hitherto alfo per taineth the fifth Article. Of »tf\V obedience, TH E whole benefit of the Son of God is to be confidered : for he will fo take away finne and death , and deliver us frorn the kingdome of theDevill, that finne being altogether abolilli- cd , and death vanquillied , he may reftore unto us eternall life, wherein God may communicate unto us his wifdome, righteoul- nefle, and ;oy, and wherein God may be all in al!. This great be»- ncfit he doth begin in this miferable lumpe of oufs, in this ;ife, a^ it is written, 2 Cor. 5. If fa be "^"ejhallbefofindcloathed, and not va^ ^d, Alfo Afatih. 1 o. Xhej thatjha/l continue to the end^fj-ilibcfa- ved. Therefore when we receive remiflion of fins 9 and are re* conc'led, and fealed by the holy Gh ft, it is a horrible madnefie to wafte thefe good gifts , as thele wafters are def cribed in the para- ble of the houie,that was made cleane,and in the fecond Epiftie of Tetery Chap.2. it is faid. If they after they have efcapedfror» thefil" thinejfe of the world, are yet tangled agaixe therein , and overcome, the latter end iiworfe ^ith them then the beginning. NovV thefc good girts are wafted or po wred out, \{ a man do^ not hold the foundation, that is, the Articles of Faith , arid eitlier Willingly , or being deceived,imbraceth wicked opinions or Idols: alio if a man doe Fall grievoufly againft his confcience. Thefe rules are often- times repeated, as Galat. 5. Th(y which doefuch things fljall not in» herit th. kingdome of God. Therefore it is neccfiari^ to ha\'e a care to avoide liich falls. I f this manifeft necellitie , the great punilli- mentj to witjthe lofle of eternall life, being fet before their eyes, doe not moove fome to doc good works , they the w themfelves to be of the number of thofe, of whom it is laid, i foh. 3. He that tommittethjin, is of the Devilt. Alio Jf any man have not the Spirit cf chrifi, he is aot hi6. And there be many caufes of this necelTi- tie. Firlt, a debt, that is an immutable order, that the creatures lliould of luJltficAticn hj Faith, and of good works, 189 fl-iouli obey God. Therefore Paul Caith , Rom. 8. Teare debttry Alio, left the holy Ghoft ani faith be fl laken of, let there be a care toaYDyd prelent puni;l:imeiits; becaufe it is moft certainc , that jBany talks, even of tlic k ied,.arc fearefuily punilhed, in this life, as the-Cbiifch fpeaketli in iJMlcheas^^^^srj. I^Ulbeare iheuriith of the Lcrdj Ucaufe I have fnrt^dc.gdnji him. And the Hiftories of ,all times doe containe fearefuU exam pies of punillimeats, as Da- ■%'idj Sm/omoyj, MaKufts, ^olias^.N^ihuchoAono^ori and innumera- ,ble others were grievoufiy punifhct^. Wherein this is moft to be •lamented , that ii» the very punilhments maay finnes arc heaped up : as in the fedition raited up againft ^avid^ and in the renting of the kingdome , for the linne of Salomon. And touching the jieceflitic of doing igood .works, the Lord (2\ih^OV[atth,'y .Except jonr righteoftf»ejfe e:(ceedthf rigfjtegfffnelfe of the ScrihesancCofthe Shartjees J, ye f/allniientirinto.ibs kingdome of heaven. The ne- -ceflitie, which is manifoLJ, being thtjsconfidered, thefec|iiefti- ons infue thereupon : what works are to be done : How they .jmaybedone: in what fort they doe pleafe God : What. rewards *Lookeihe they have : what is the difference of;fins : * what fins doe fliake firtt cWtr- of thchcdyQhoft,andwhatnot. : vac upon this confeUlon. ,„; \, / , J i 1 the fourth fVbat ^orkJ are to be done. 3 ^ /^ , icn. 1 T is the win of God, that Faith and works be governed by his 1 word. Therefore we muft keepe the rule , touching good works both internaU.and extemall, contained in the commandc- ments of God, which doe pertaine to us, 3S it is faid, Ezeth. 2 ?. Walks y^ *^ 'i^J commandemems. And thefe internal! andextern^I works doe then become the worlliip of God, when t^cy be dtme in faith , and are referred to this end. j that Godt^ thisobedicnce may be glorified. Now webavcrhewed before, that even the unfegenerate may -performe this externaji obedience or difci- .-pline: as OVfy olive thhoneftly, and for His pains- in-gevcmment ^ferveth wellof all mail kind e : but hismindciisfullof doubts, itpuching the ^ro^/idence of God., neither doth he know, nor :j^ake unto the true God in invocation, neither doth he know the ■jpfomifes, and he al //aies doubteth whether he be^eard, efpecially ,when he is in milccy, and then is he angry with God,and thinkctb ibjUifeseisuniuftlypunirhed, feeing he was- a honeil Citizen, and "^Kflfiitablefoi the Ccmmour wealth, Suchdarkheflcin tbe-miniie, • WO fs 1^0 T: he ninth Sexton, is great finnc, fuch as rcafon, not being illuminated by God, is is not able to judge of. Therefore inward obedience, true knowledge of God, the fcare of God, forrowes in repentance, truft to obtaine mercie pro- mifed for the Sonne of God, invocation, hope, love, joy in God, and other vertues muft be begun alio in the regenerate, and they muft be referred to a proper end, to wit,that God may be obeyed. Thefe kindes of true worfliip cannot be given unto God, without the light of the Gofpel,and without faith ; which our adverfaries, who will feeme to be jolly preachers of good workes, do neither underftand, nor require : feeing they omit the doftrine of faith, which is a confidence to obtaine mercy, refting in th;: Sonne of God,which is an efpeciall worke,and the chiefc worfliip of God. .Of workes not commanded of God, weftiall fpeake , hereafter, and we muft hold f aft that rule, Matth .15. /« vaine doe they tvot' Jhip me mth the com^andements of men. And in the Church in f al- leth out oftentimes, that ceremonies devifed by men are more carefully kept, then the commandements of God, yea the autho- ritie of Pharifaicall and unj'uft traditions is preferred before the the commandement of God : as in many ages, for the unjuft and wicked commandement of fingle life , the commandement of God concerning true chaftitic, was horribly violated. "Therefore we muft confider of the difference of the law, whereof we will fpcake againc hereafter. Ho'^ good '^cerkes may he done. G] i I Reat is the infirmitie of man,and the devill a moft crucll ene- ^nie, who for the hatred hebearethto God, rageth aga'nft mankinde,and doth endeavour all that he can, efpecially to deftroy the Church, as it is written o^ Peter ^ 1 Pet. 5. fVatch, hecaufejour adverfarie the devill goeth dhut like ^ roaring Lion, fecking -whom » Lookc the he may devoure. * Therefore although men by their naturall »• obfavarion (trength may after a fort performe the externall difcipline, yet arc fwr" '^'*^°"" they often overcome by this common infirmitie : and the devill alfo doth oftentimes force men, not altogether favage, to com mit horrible fads, as he deceived Eve^ and compelled the brethren of Jofe^hy Davidy^nd others innumerable. Therefore what diligence, or what advifement, can be futficient for this moft fubtill enemy ? Here let us lay hold upon that raoftfweet comfort, 7"^tf Sonne tf God of Itiflification by Fait hy and ef good works . 191 God Appeared to defirsy the works of the Devi/I, 1 fohn 3, The 5onne of God is the keeper of his Church , as he faith, foh. 10. iV« ntJ» fiall take my Jheepe out of my handj. He doth protedl hs, andaifoby his holy fpirit doth confirme our mindes in true opi- nions: as he doth begin eternall life, fo dcth he kindle in our hearts good n^otions, faith, the love of God, true invocation, hope, chaftitic, and other vertues We are not Pelagians, but wc doe humbly give thanks to the eternall God , the Father of out lord lefus Chrift, and to his Sonne lefus Chrift, and to the holyGhoft , both for the whole benefit of falvation reftored a- gaine to mankinde , and alfo for this benefit, that the Sonne of ^od doth dwell in the Church , and doth defend it with his right hand againft the furies of the Devils and men , and doth drive a- way the devils from us, and doth uphold us in this fo great infir- mitieof ours, and by his word doth kindle in our mindes the knowledge of c;od, and doth confirme and goveme our mindes by his holy fpirit. We doe certainly know that thefe benefits are indeed given unto us, as it is faid moft comfortably inZacharie, chap. I». I'^illfo'^^^ oHtHpon the houfe of David, and upon the inhabitants of lernfalem, thefrit of graa and prayers. He na- Hieth the fpirit of grace , becaufe that in this comfort , the Son ofGod,iealingus by his holy fpirit , doth teftifiethat we are in favour, and that we arc delivered from the pains of hell. Second- ly, he nameth the fpirit of prayers, becaule that when we have acknowledged the remiiTion of fins , we doe not now flie from God , we doe not murmure againfl: God , but we approach unto him with true faith and hope, we doe aske and looke for helpe at his hands , we love him , and fubmit our felves to him : and thus is the beginning of obedience wrought. After that manner faith the Lord, loh. i 4. / m/lpray the Father , md he vfill give yon ane- thtr Comfottir^ even thejpirit of truth. The holy Ghoft doth kin- dle the light of truth in our mindes, and new motions in our hearts, agreeable to the Livv of God. Let us acknowledge this fo great a gift, and let us endeavour to keepe it thankfully, and dc» fire daily to be helped in fo great dangers of this life. The will is not idle, v;hen it hath received the holy Ghoft. Hoi» X ^% The ninth Sc^hn, Ho^ our new obedience doth f lea fe God. In «TT HE Pharifec in Luke, chap, i %. doth admire and pleafe him- ' I felfe, being bewitched with this perfwafion, that he doth fa- tisfic the law, and for this difcipline, fuch as it is, doth pleafe God- Many fuch there be among men , who tbinke themfelves fecurc^ if they performe never fo little though it be but a fhadow of difci- pline. But the heavenly voice doth often times accuie the arro- gancieofthefe;men: and therefore the Lord faith, Lul^j^. £X' cept J e repent, ye /ha/l all m/tke fort perijh,2.nd l foh.J. IfrvefayVpe haveno finne we are Ijers, Iherefore their imagination isvaine, which thinke that obedience doth pleafe God for it own wortbi- nefle, and that it is a merit of Condignitie,as they fpeake,and fuch a righteoufneffe before God, as is a merit of eternail life. And yet afterward they do adde, that we mufl ahvales doubt whether our obedience doe pleale God, becaule it is evident, that in every one there is moich pollution, many fins of ignoranccand omiflion, and many not fmall blemifhes. Here it is necefl'ary that mens conici* ences iliould be inftruded aright in either of thefe poitit^ , both' «joncerpirig^ bur ihfirmitie , -and alfo concerning the comfort,' Itis necelTarie that (he regenerate (houidhave the righteoufneffe of a^ good confcience , and obedience begun in this life, as hath been laid : yet neverthclefle, in this life there is ftill remaining.ir» our qaturejihourfoulej and incuri-ieart, very much pollution, which" they jHoe the more fee J andbewaile, which have received more light then others, as the Prophets and Apoftles , according to that complaint oiPaul, Rom. j. I fee another la^ in my members, ^-'hich firivcth againfi the luw of mj minde , and mnketh me captive to the --\j lawoffnne. There i'^ asyet in every one a great mil>, manifold ignotauce, and many forrowfull doubts, errors in counfels, raifed by diilruft , by falfe opinions , and a vaine hope , many vicious flames of lufls, much negled: of dutie , murmurings and indig- nations againil God in his puniQiments : to conclude it is un- fenfiblcnefle and madnefle , not to be willing to cqnfeffe that the feare and love of God is much more cold in us , then it ought to be. Theie conieflions are repeated in the Sermonsof the -Pro- phets and Apoftles J Tfal 145. Enter not into iudgement nith thy fervant ffor inthy fight Jhallno man living be injhfed. And I foh. I. Jf we fay , that we have mo finne , we deceive our f elves, mdthetrmthis not in us. This confellion isneceflary, and mans arrogancie of luflification l?j F ait h^and good workes, 193 arrogancie to be reproovcd. Alfo the errour of our adverfarics, whofeigne, that men in this mortall lifemayfatisfiethclawof God, and of thofe, who fay, that the evill of concupifcence,which is bred with us, is not fin, nor an evill repugnant to the law or will of God, is to be reprehended. ThefserroursdothPWmanifeft- ly confute, Rom.y.znd S. Then mufl: comfort alfo be /oyned thereunto. Firft, let the re- generate perfon aflbre him/elfc , that he is reconciled to God , by faith alone, that is , by confidence in the Mediatour , and that the perfon is certainly accounted righteous, for the Sonne of God the Mediatour, and that freely for his merit. Secondly,let us confeflc with true gricfe , that there remaine as yet in the regenerate man many finnes , and much pollution , worthy of the wrath of God. Thirdly , let him neverthelefle know, that obedience, and the righteoulnefle of a good confcience , muft be begun in this life, and that this obedience, although it be ver}' farre from that perfedion which the law requireth, is nevertheleffe, in the rege- nerate, acceptable to God, for the Mediatours fake, whomaketh requeftfor us, and by his merit doth cover our great and unfpeak- able miferies. Thus for the Mediatours fake,both the perfon is re- ceived, and alfo our works doe pleafe God, that in either of them our faith may fhine. Therefore 7f/ and that this obe- dience doth pleafe God , although it be unperfed and needie, let us acknowledge the infinite mercie of God 1 and give thanks N for iP4 T"/?^ ninth S^6iion. for it, and have a great care how to governc our adtions , becaufe we know, that we are both helped, and that this obedience is ac- ceptable to God For the Sons fake. And let this necellitie be al- waies in our eyes, that iF the benefits of God, to wit, luftincation, and Regeneration, be ITiaken of, we looFe eternall li'^e, according to that faying, We fhdl be c loathed, if fo be that 'Wtf be not found na^ ked. And, Rom. 8. If any have not the Spirit of(^hrifl^ he is not hi^s, Andalwaiesinluftilicationlet there be alfo a beginning of new- neflc of life. The theefe hanging on the crofle, hath good works, and thofe both interna! 1 and externall : it grieveth h:m that he had finned, andheconfeiVeththatheisjuftlypunirhed t then by faith he doth acknowledge the Saviour , and dcfircth falvation of him, and therefore he heareth expreffe abfolution, and the preaching of ctcmall life, and the promile, and refteth in this voice of the Ivlef- fias , and fubmitteth himfelfe to God , and doth not beare the pu- niilimcnt impatientl) ,but is eafcd by acknowledging the MelTias, and by the hope of eternall life,and giveth thanks to God : More- over, to give an evident token of his confellion, he found fault with the other which curfed Chrift Thefc things are done by him, becaufe this very Meffias , being partner with him in his pu- nidiment, in a word doth teach his minde, and by the fame com- fort r^^^W is effedluall in him , and through him the eternall Father doth poure the holy Ghoft into the heart of this hearer, that he may kindle in him, joy, love, invocation, hope of eternal! life, and other vertucs. Of Rewards. P\Ahl{d\thyRom.6, Eternall life ii the gift cf God, through le^ fpts Chrift our Lord: and, they that are reconciled , orjuftifi- ed, fiy^re heires annexed with the Sonne of God, and that for his fake, not for their own merits. Faith, receiving re million of fins, and juftification,and the hope of eternall life , doe re lie upon the Sen of God the Mediatour, as it is faid, foh.6. This is the mil of the Fa^ ther^ that every one that bcleeveth in him , ftjould h.ive eternall life. And, Rom. 5;. Being iuftifedby fiith, ne have peace^'ith Go/^ through our Lord Jejm Chrift : by nhom we have accede through faith unto this grace wherein ne ft and, ar.dreieyce unier the hope of eternall life. Hcjoynethfaith and hope together, and affirmeth, that either of them doth relie upon the Mediatour : And it is ma- nifeft, that hope ought not to relic on our works, becaufe it is faid. of lujlifi cation hy FAtthiAndgCQdworkei, i^y V[aL 142. No man living Jhallbe iuflifiedin thyjight. But as they which repent are accounted juft by faith , for the onely Sonne of God his lake, and for him, and through him are quickned; fofor him, and not for our merits, isetemall life given unto us; as the thiefe on the crofle heareth thispromife, Te day thoujhult he rvUh me in Paradife, Luk. 2 ^ . Neither mufl: we dreame, that the Sonne of God did merit, or give unto us, a preparation onely to etcrnalllife : but let that mod comfortable faying of H<7/^<*j be alwaiesin our fight: 0 death, I mil he thy death. O hell^l ^ill he thy dejiruUion. For by the Son of Godjand through him, we are delivered from eternall death, and tranflated into life eternall, as he isdth^Igive unto them eternall life. Andji ^oh. 5. He that hath the Son,hathlife. And let hope be fure andfirme,asPf/"^rfaith, I P(ff. i. Hope perfe^lyythztlsAookc tor eternall lifojnot with doubtfall opinion, in an aflured hope,to wit, for the Mediatours fake. And AugHJline faith well , in his booke of >46ditations. The certaintie of our iX'hole confidence confijieth in the blood of Chrifi. Let us hold both thele points affuredly , that he which repehteth, doth freely by faith receive remilTion of fins, and j unification for the Sonne of God his fake , and that he is an heire of eternall life, as Paul faithy Rom. 8 e^J many as are led hy the IP ir it of God , t^ey are the fonnes of God. And if they he chil' dreny they are alfo the heires of God. Yet not withftanding,this alfo is true , * that they , which doe fhake of the holy Ghoft , falling * Locke the from faith, or finning grievoufly againft their confcience , and doe »• obfcrvation not returne unto God by repentance, are not heires, as it is (aid, "P°r^^'^ Galat. 5. They which doe fuch things , Jhall not inherit the ki»g- i^.l. c'a dome. of God. And, iTim. 2. Fight a good fight, having fait hand a good confcience , rohich fome h^vefut a^ay , ayid as concerning faith have made Jhipvfracke. And, U^Catth. 2^. I^as hungry^ and ye gave me not to eate. And, Thefe jhall goe into everlafiingpmifh- mentyhut the righteous Jhall goe into life eternall. Now although life eternall is given to the regenerate for the Sonne of God, yet withall it is alfo a reward of good works,asitisfaid, Tour rervard ii plentifuH in heaven , as 2 patrimonie is the reward of the labours oi a fonne, although it be given to the fonne for another caufe. Moreoever, God hath added unto good workescertainepro- mifesof his, and therefore even for the good works of holy men, God doth give fpirituall andccrporall gifts cvenin this life, and N 2 that jP^ The ninth Sexton» tbatdiverfly:, as It fcemeth good to his unfpcakabls wirdome, I Tim. 4. Godhmffe hath thgprcmifes of the life prefent, andofthAt that i64o come, Mark. 10. TheyPjati receive a hundred fold in this life ( hut With tribulation ) and after thit life yCternall life. Matrh. 10. who fotver Jhall give unto one of thefe little ones to drinkeacu^ of cold^attr onely in the name ofadifciple, he JhaHnot loofe hit regard. Luk. 6, Give^ andit Jhall be given to jou. Exod 20. Ho- nour thy father and thy mother , that thou maieji live long upon earth, lla. 33. Bread Jhatl be given him, and hli waters fall be fure: they Jhall fee the King in his glorie, that is, for obedience and good works God doth give c^uiet Common- weales, an hcneO: and mcckc government, &c. Ifa. 58. Breake thy bread to the hungry^ and thou Jhalt he as a garden that is watered, c^c. The example of the widow at Sareptais well knowne: and the Pfalmifl: faith, Suh fiance and riches are inhishoufe. For feeing thatGodin this mortall and miferable life doth gather his Church, and will have it to be an honrfl: congregation, he giveth thereunto many places of entertainment, he giveth nefts to godly poore families, fortho bringing up of their children, and for the Ipreading abroad of do- flrine: to conclude, he will preferve the focietieof mankinde, houiholds^nd comm.on vveales,and that to th!send,that a Church may be gathered. Therefore he giveth Ibmetime a government not troublefomc, peace, a fruitfuUIand, and other good things, for the prayers of holy men, for their diligence , and for common nc- ceflities fake : as, for ftfeph, Naaman, znd Danie/^ thofe king- domes, wherein they lived, flourillied the more. And ferem. ip. The Banillied in Babylon arc commanded , to pray for the peace, and wholfome government of that place, where they were inter- tained. So alfo oftentimes puniQiments are heaped up for the (ins of the Church, as is to be (eene in the punilliment of the tribe of Bemamin, David, and others. Now God will have us to un» derftand that thefe benefits arc neceflary for the body , and to know that they be given of God : in asking of them he will have our faith to be exercifed , as we fliall declare more at large in a fit place. At this time we have therefore added thefe few things» that in this confeflion there might be alfo a Teftimonie in our Churches, that this true and neceflarie do(^rine, touching good worksj is faithfully laid open» Out of luftif cation hy Faithydnd of good rvorkeu i^y Out of the Coyjfe^ion o/VVlRTEMBERGE. Of Ififtificatien, C H A P . J. "V/" \7'E bclecve and confe0e, that to doe and practice fuch righ- teoufneflfe , as is acceptable to God , thefc vertues be nc- ceflary, Faith, hope , and love , and that man cannot of himfdfe conceive thefe vertues , but doth receive them of the favour and grace of God, and that faith doth rvorke by love.^ But we thinks that their judgement doth farrc difagree from the Apoftolike and Catholike dodrine 3 who teach, thatinanis made acceptable to God, and accounted juft before God for thole vertues , and that when wc come to ftand before God in judgement , vve muft truft to the merits of thefe vertues. For man is made acceptable to God, and counted juft before him , for the onely Son of God our Lord lefus Chrift, through faith : and when wc appearc be- fore the judgement feat of Gdd y We muft not truft to the merit of any of thofe vertues , which we have , but onely to the merit of our Lord iefus Chrift , whofe merit is ours by faith. And be- caufe that before the tribunall feat of God, where the queftiori is of true and cternallrighteoufnefle and falvation, there is no placs at all for the merits of men, but onely for the mercie of God, and the merits of our Lord Iefus Chrift alone , who \s recei- ved of us by faith , therefore we thinkc that the ancient Fathers our Elders faid truly, that wc are juftiiied before God by faith a- lone, R om. 3 . All have finned, and are def rived of the glory of God^ and Are iftfiifiedjreely by hij grace, through thi redemp'iou that is in Chrifi lefm, '^hom Gsd hath fet forth to be a reconciliation through f aith in hk bloody Galat. 3. The Scrip ure hath concluded ctH under finnCy that thepremife by the Faith of lefm Chrifi Jhould be given to the» that beleeve. And, Chap. 5 . We through ihejpirit wairefor the hope of righteoufnejfe through faith. For in (^hrtfi lefm neither Circumcijion avjileth any things nor uncircumcifion^but faith ^hich rrorketh by love. Hilarie faith , It ojfendeth the Scribes , phat r^aH ■fliould forgive jinne (for they beheld nothing but man in lefm Chrifi ) and that he Jhould forgive that y which the law could not releafe. For faith alone doth iufiife. Ambrofe faith, They are tie» ftified fieely , becaufe that werkifig nothing y nor requiting any thing y by faith alone they are iufiified , by the gift of God. And againcr They firs evidently bU^ed , tvhofe iniquities offi forgiven, N i Without ipE The mmh SeBion. ^ithent anj labour «rvporkef and yvhofe fins arrcoveredt nohelfeof retentance being required of them^ huf onelj this , that they beleeve» Many places might be allcadged as well out of the writings of the Prophets and Apoftles , as out of the holy Fathers , whereby it is prooved, that not onely in the beginning, through the free m er- cicofGod, thefe vcrtues , to wit. Faith, hope, and love, are given unto us , but alfo afterward throughout our whole life , and that in our extreame neceilitie, we are not able to (land before the f.vere tribunall feat of God , but in the confidence of the onely free favour of God, fiiewed unto us in Chrill; the Son of God. For this is that, both which ?^«/teacheth, and the Ecclefiafticall writers doe interpret , That we arc juftified before God by faith alone. Of good works. i:,\i'm. Chap. 7. % that good works, commanded of God, arc nccefifa- rily to be done, and that, through the free mercie of God, * L^okc the * they doc defcrve certaine their own, either corporall, or fjpiritu- 1. obfa-vition all,re Wards. But we mufl: not thinke , that in the judgement of uoon t^Js CO"- God, where the qucftion is, concerning the purging of our fins, '°"* the appealing of the wrath of God , and the merit of eternall lal- vation, we Oiould truft to thofe good works which we doe. For all the good works which we doe, are unperfedf, neither can they fuftaine the feveritie of the judgement of God , but all our confi- dence is to be placed in the onely mercie qf God , for his Son our Lord lefus Chrifl: his fake. Pfal. 142. Enter not into ifidgetnent rpith thy fervant ,for noflejh living po.^ll be iufiified in thy fight. GzX. 5. Thefiefi} lufieth againfi the Spirit, andthejpirit againjl thefi^p, and thefe are contrary one to the other , fo that ye cannot doe thofe things that ye "^onld, Kom. 7. / k^now, that in me, that is^ in my jlejb, there d^elleth no good. Dan. p . fVe doe not prefect ourfupplications ' before thee, for our d^n righteonfne^e, but for thy great tender mer» A n ...rircies. Auffuftine iziih » Woe to the life of man , be it never [9 com^ Ub.g'cip. I J. mendable, tj thou examme t-t, Jetttng thy mercte dfide. And againe : lit Mmudi. *yill my hofe U in the death of my Lord. His death is my merit, my cap. X z. refuge, falvation, life^ and my refurreViion. The mercie of the Lord is my merit , lam not -without merit , fo lottg as the Lord ofmtrcits , jtf not Veanting, t/indif the msrcies of the Lrrdbf manj^ I abound in oflufltjication hj Faith^andofgoodworket, 199 in merits. Gregoric faith, Therefort our righteotu Advoeate Jhall Greg, lik \.[w defend us in the day of indgetmnt , becaufe ^e k»o^ , Midaccufe $Hr P^E-^ch. bom. fslves to be Httiufi. Therefore let tu not trnji to ettr teares^nor to aur '^'"^^!'^' anions, but to the alkadgingof oftr Advooate. Bernard faith, ^*'" a^^^^Jji^/B '^J reiojcing is this, th: tejiimonie of onrconfcitnce , notfuch a tefiimO' u Muri neither know the FatiicF, ex- cept the Son reveale hitn unto us : and Paul dx)th write To ex- prefiely, Not of yonr [elves, not of works : it is evident enough>that ©ur works can helpe nothing at all , that of un/uft , fuch as we are borncj we may become righteous : becaafe that, as we are by na- ture the children of wrath, and therefore un/uft , fo we are not able to doe any thing that is juft, or acceptable, to God: but the be- ginning of all our rrghteoufneffe and falvation, mull: prriceed from the mercie of the Lord, who o^ hisonely favour, and the contem- plation of the death of his Son, did firft oJ&r the do(^rine of truth, and his Gofpel , fending thofe that fliould preach it ; and feconci- \y, feeing that natural! mm cannot, as Patd iairh, i Cor. 2. perceive; the things that are of God, he caui'eth alio the beame o^ liis %h£ to arife in the darknefle of our heart , that now we may belc^vc the Gofpell preached, being perf waded of the truth thereof, by the holy Spirit from above , and th«^n forthwith trufting to the te- ftiraonieof this fpirit , in the confidence of children to call upon God, and to fay, Abba, Father, obtaining thereby true lalvation, according to that faying > Whofoever [hall cMl U^onthe name of the LordyfidUhefaved^. Ofgeod^orksi froceed^ngoHt of faith, through love. THefe things wc will not have men fo to underfl:aad,as though we placed faivation and righteojjfnefle in the floathfuU thoughts of men,or in faith deftitute of love (which they call faith withoutformc)) feeing that we.ace fure , that no man can.be. /uft or faved , except he : doe chjef?y loyCj and moftcarncftly imitate be nmde li^ to. the. im^ige. of hf^ Smm, Bui. no. im^^can. tov^ Ggd above aa of lujiific alien hy Faith, and ofgcodworh, 20 1 all things, and worthily imitate him, but he which doth iDdced know him, and doth afToredly lookc for all good things from him. Therefore we cannot other wife be /ullified, that is, as to become righteous, (o to be laved (for right eoufneffe is even our falvation} then by being endued c'niefly wiUi foith in him, by which faith we beleeving the Golpel, and tlierefore being periwaded, that God hath taken tis for his adopted children,, and that he will for ever fhewhimfelfe a loving father unto uSilet uswhoUy depend upon his pleafurc. This faith Saint o^fnguftine, doth call, in his booke Ve Fide & operlhus^ Evangelici^H, To wit, that which is effeiftuall through love. By this faith we are borne againc^and the image of God is repaired irr us.. By this faith, whereas we are borne corrupt, our thQughts,even from our childhood, being alto- gether bent unto evill, we become good, and upright. For here- upon, we being fully fatisfted with one God (the fpring of all good things that is never drie, but runneth ahvaies mod plenti- fully) Wt doe forthwith fliewour felves^asit were, Gods, to- wards others,that is, toward the true fonnes of Go j, indevouring by love to profit them, fo much as in us lyeth. For, He that loveth bis brother, abidsth in the light y and is borne ofGod^ and is wholly given to the new, and to the old commandement, touching rau- tualllove. And this love is the fulfiUing of the whole law, ^sPanl faith : The Vchole UVc is fulfilled in one rverd, namelj this ^Th off /halt tove thj neighbopor d4 thy f elf e. Gal. 5. For whatfoever the law teacheth, hitherto it tendeth, and this one thing it requireth, that -at the length we may be reformed to the perfed image of God, being good in all things, and ready and willing to doe men good, the which we cannot doe, except we be adorned with all kindes of vertues. For who can purpofe and doe all things ( as the du- tie of a Chriftian doth require, i Cor, 10.) to the true edifying of the Church, and the found profit of all men, that is, according to the law of God, andtotheglory of God, e;(ccpt that he botK thinke,fpsake, and doe every thing in order, and well, and there- fore be very famUliarly acquainted with the whole company of vertues. To 20Z Th€ ninth Se^ion, To whom goodworkes are to he afcrihd. And ho"^ neceffurie thej be. Chap. 5. BVt feeing ^.Sithej, '^hichare the children of Gsdy are rather led by the Spirit ofGodt then do2 work any thing themfelvcs, And that Ofhim.andthroughhimyandforhimyare all things ^^z^z- fore whatlbe ver things we doe well, and holily, are to be afcribed to none other,thcn to this one onely (pirit,the giver of all vertues. Howfoeveritbe, he doth not compell us, but doth lead us being willing, IVorktng in ui both to ^ill, and to doe, Philip. 2. Where- upon Saint zAugufiine writcth very well, That God doth re'^ard his Tvorkes in w. And yet wc are fo farre from rejeding good workes, that we doe utterly deny, that any man can fully be fa- yed, except he be thus far brought by the Ipirit of Chrift, that he finde no want at all in him, touching thofe good workes, whcre- unto God hath created him. For there be divers members of the fame body, therefore every one of us have not the fame office, I (^or. 1 2. It is fo neceflary, that the law (hould be fulfilled, that Heaven and earth Jhallfootier pajfe a^ajy then any one iotte , or the leuji point thereof Jhall be remitted. Yet bccaufe God alone is good, hath created all things of nothing, and doth by his fpiritraakcus altogether new, and doth wholly lead us (for in Chrift nothing availeth but a new creature} none ofalltheie things can be afcri- bed to mans flrength, and we muft confefle, that all things are the mecre gifts of God, who of his o wne accord, and not for any me- rit of ours doth favour and love us. By thefe things it may fuffi- ciently be kno wne, what we beleeve juftification to be,by whom it is wrought for us, and by what means it is received of us : alfo by what places of Scripture we are induced fb to beleeve. 1-oral- although of many we have alledged a few, yet by thefe few, any one, that is but meanly converfant in the Scripture, may fully per- ceive, that they which rcade the Scriptures ("hall find every where fuch kinde of leniences, as doe attribute unto us nothing but finne, and deftrudion, as Ho/^^ faith, and all our righteoufneffeandfal- vationtotheLord. Of of lufi'ification by Faitb^ and of good vjorks . 203 Of the duties of a ChriflAn man. Chap. 6. NOw it cannot be doubted o^, what be the duties of a C hri- ftian man, and to what aflionshe ought chiefly to gi\e him- felfe, namely to all thofe, whereby everyone, For his parr, may profit his neighbours, and that firft, in things pertaining to life c- ternall, that they alio may begin to know, worfhip,and feare God, and then in things pci taining to this life, that they may want no- thing which is neceilarie to the fuftenarce of the body .'For as the whole law of God, which is amofl: abiolute commandementof allrighteouftieife, is briefly contained in this one vjOYd,ThouJhalt love thy neighbotir as thy felfcy fo in the performance of this Iove,it isneceflaric that all righteouln^fle iliouldbecomprifedandpcr- fited. Whereupon it folio weth, that nothing at all \s to be reckon- ed among the duties of a Chriftian man, which is not of force and ef&d to profit our neighbour, and every wcrke is fo much the more belonging to the duty of Chri(^ianman,byhowmuchhis neighbour may the more be profited thereby. Therefore next af- ter fcclefiafticallfundions, among the chiefe dutiesofa Chrifti- an man, we place the government of the Common weale, obe- dience to Magiftrates (for thcfe be referred to the com men pro- fit) that care which is taken for our wife, children, family, and the honour which is due to parents, (becaufe that without thefe the life of man cannot confirt) and lalHy, the profelTion of good arts and of ail honeft difcipline,becaule that except thefe be had in efti- mation, we fliall be deftitute of the greatelt good things, which are proper to mankinde. Yet in thefe, and all other duties pertain- ing to mans like, no man muft ralLly take any thing to himfelfe, but with a right confcience confider, whereunto God doth call him. To conclude, let every man account that his dutic, and that fo much the more excellent a dutie, the more that he fhall profit other men thereby. THE ao4 The tenth SeBm. THE TENTH SECTION, OF THE HOLY CATHO- LIKE CHVRCH: The latter Confefdon o/ Helvetia. Of the Catholike Church of God, and of the head of the ^hurcb, Ch A p. 17. Orafmuch as God from the beginning would have men to be faved, and to come to the knowledge of the trutb,thereforc it is neceffary that alwaies from the beginning, at this day, and to the end of the worlds there lliould be a Church, that is, a compa- nic of the faithful, called and gatheredout ohhe world, a comma- nioa (I fay) of all Saints, that is of them, who doe truely know, and rightly worfliip and ferve the true God in lefus Chrift the Saviour, by the word and the holy fpirit, and which by faith arc partakers of all thofe good graces , which are fireely offered through Chrift. Thefeall are Citizens of one and the fame Citie, living under one Lord, under the famelawes, and in the fame fel- bwfhip of all good things, for fo the Apoftle calleth them fe/iovf Citizens with the Saints^ and of the houfjoldofGod, tearming the faithful! upon the earth Saints, who arc fantflified by the blood of the Sonne of fo often as it forfaketh him, who is the alone truth. conftflicn. This Church is alfo called a virgin, andthefponfe ofChrifij and his onely beloved. For the ApoilUiaithj / h^.ve ioyned you unto one hvuhand, that I miqht frefeni you a chajle virgin ftnto Chrifi. The Church ii called a foc'ke ofpjee^e under one /Jyepheard, even Chrifl", Ezjek^^^.zndlohnio. aiiothe body of Chrifi, becaufc the faithful! are tlie lively members of Chrift, having him for their head. It is tlie head which hath the prehemiiicnce in the body, and from whence the whole body receiveth life, by whofefpirititis governed in all things, of whom alfo it receiveth increafe, thatit may grow up. Alfo there is but one head of the body, which bath agreement with the body, and therefore the Church cannot have any other head belide Chrift. For as the Church is a Ipiritiiail bo- dy, fo mud it needs have a fpiritua 1 head like unto it fc'Sc' Nei- ther can it be governed by any other Ipirif, then by the fpirit of Colcfi'. I. Chrift. Wherefore Paul hith. And he is the head of hii bodphe churchy "^hots the beginning, the fir fi borne of the dead, that in all things he might have the frthiminence.kv\